President Macky Sall's official visit to Switzerland on 20-22 March 2017

President Macky Sall travelled to Switzerland from 20-22 March 2017, invited by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Ms Doris Leuthard Hausin, as part of the initiative to reinforce bilateral relations between the two countries.

Monday 20 March

Arriving in Bern on the morning of 20 March, the President of the Republic attended the military honours ceremony with Ms Doris Leuthard Hausin. The two Heads of State took the opportunity to broach the topics of cooperation and training. They also brought up questions around water policy and peace. President Macky Sall then visited the Ecole des Métiers in Lausanne, a vocational school.

Tuesday, 21 March

President Macky Sall attended the Africa CEO Forum, a business event for corporate leaders and investors focused on the development and dynamism of Africa's economy. In this setting, the Head of State, held a series of audiences, including:

• an audience with Ms Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre;
• an audience with Mr Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund, during which the President signed an agreement on the immunities and privileges granted to the Global Fund to speed up the end of the AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics;
• an audience with Mr Mo Ibrahim, whose Foundation promotes development in Africa.

At the Africa CEO Forum, President Macky Sall also made a point of meeting with business leaders and foreign investors. Economic outlook, new investments in Senegal and public-private partnerships were on the menu at the business lunch on Tuesday 21 March.

At 3 PM Tuesday, President Macky Sall was alongside his counterpart Ghanean S.E.M. Nana Akufo-Addo to jointly run the Presidential Panel. The two hours of discussions that ensued between the two Heads of State and the audience included President Macky Sall's emphasising Africa's strength and potential for development. He furthermore presented the measures taken in Senegal to foster greater economic dynamism (Plan for an Emerging Senegal, measures in the field of education, and public health). President Macky Sall also reiterated his call to avoid reducing Africa to a continent of migrants.

After the Presidential Panel, the President of the Republic and his delegation headed to the United Nations Headquarters, where President Macky Sall signed the Guest Book in alongside Michael Miller, Director General of the United Nations in Geneva.

At the end of the day, the Head of State gave a conference at the University of Geneva, before a group of students and members of the Senegalese diaspora. On that occasion, President Macky Sall publicly shared for the first time his intention to initiate a new dynamic in Africa and, in particular, in Senegal. The Head of State asserted the need for a new perspective on Africa, and insisted on the importance of providing training for young people in Senegal and protecting the nation’s talents. The evening concluded with a meeting with the diaspora.

Wednesday, 22 March 

Lastly, on Wednesday 22 March, President Macky Sall was awarded an Honorary Degree by the Geneva School of Diplomacy.

The Presidential trip concluded with a meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).