LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Youssoufou Bamba, the new Permanent
Representative of Cote d'Ivoire to the United Nations, and extending a
warm welcome to him upon the occasion of his visit to Albany, New York,
on May 10, 2011

WHEREAS, The State of New York is greatly enriched by its cultural
diversity and proudly shares a multitude of values, as well as spiritual
and familial ties, with the people of Cote d'Ivoire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body, representing the people of the State
of New York, is pleased to welcome Youssoufou Bamba upon the occasion of
his visit to Albany, New York, on Tuesday, May 10, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Youssoufou Bamba was born on December 31, 1949, in Abidjan,
the economic and former official capital of Cote d'Ivoire; and
WHEREAS, He graduated from the University of Abidjan with a master's
degree in economics, and from the Institute International
d'Administration Publique in Paris, where he earned a diploma, diplomat-
ic section; and
WHEREAS, Cote d'Ivoire, 'Ivory Coast' is a former colonized French
West African country consisting of 21.1 million people; Youssoufou Bamba
is the new Permanent Representative of Cote d'Ivoire to the United
Nations; and
WHEREAS, Prior to his new appointment, Youssoufou Bamba served, since
January 2007, as Cote d'Ivoire's Ambassador to Austria, as well as
Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Vienna and to
the international Atomic Energy Agency; and
WHEREAS, Youssoufou Bamba was also Ambassador to the United Kingdom
from 2001-2007, and Ambassador to the United States from 2000-2001,
having previously served as Minister for International Cooperation from
1998-1999; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, his diplomatic service included a previous term
as Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, from
1996-1998; and
WHEREAS, While concurrently serving as Ambassador to Japan and the
Republic of Korea, resident in Tokyo, from 1994-1996, Youssoufou Bamba
carried out the duties of Chef de Cabinet to the President of the 46th
session of the General Assembly, 1994-1995; and
WHEREAS, Youssoufou Bamba was Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent
Representative to the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Ethiopia's
capital, Addis Ababa for one year from 1993-1994; and
WHEREAS, He served as an Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
from 1991-1993 and Assistant Director for Multilateral Cooperation from
1988-1991, after joining Cote d'Ivoire's Permanent Mission in New York
for the first time, as Counsellor, from 1983-1988; and
WHEREAS, Having joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1976 as a
junior staff member in charge of the budget, Youssoufou Bamba rose
through the ranks to become Assistant Budget Director, 1977-1978, and
Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, 1978-1980, before his
first overseas posting, as Counsellor at Cote d'lvoire's Embassy in
Canada, 1980-1983; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to recognize Permanent
Representative of Cote d'Ivoire to the United Nations Youssoufou Bamba,
a man of purpose and accomplishment who represents the rich cultural
heritage of the people of the State of New York, the country of Cote
d'Ivoire, and the democratic family of nations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Youssoufou Bamba, and to extend a warm welcome to him upon the

occasion of his visit to Albany, New York, on May 10, 2011; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Youssoufou Bamba, Permanent Representative of Cote d'Ivoire
to the United Nations.