Reflections on Social Protection: CIPRES Expert Committee Meets in Bangui

Bangui, Central African Republic, December 2-3, 2025 - In preparation for the 39th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of member countries, the Committee of Experts on Social Protection, chaired by the Inter-African Conference on Social Prevention (CIPRES), convened in Bangui to assess the expansion of social security coverage and enhance the well-being of populations.

The Committee reviewed preparatory documents for the Council of Ministers meeting scheduled for December 5, 2025. Mali participated with a large delegation led by the Ministry’s Technical Advisor for Legal Affairs, Mr. Bakary Dembélé, along with:

National Director of Social Protection and Solidarity Economy, Mr. Mohamed Bassirou Traoré

Directors General of CANAM (Brigadier General Boubacar Dembélé), CMSS (Ichaka Koné), and ANAM (Hameth Ben Hamane Traoré)

Technical advisors from INPS, CMSS, and CANAM

CIPRES, with 18 member countries, coordinates and harmonizes social protection systems across Africa, develops common rules for the management of social security institutions, and monitors their operation.

Election of the President of the Council of Ministers

Review and adoption of minutes from the 38th Ordinary Session

Review and adoption of the draft 2026 action plan and budget

Adoption of the 2024 annual report

Adoption of codes of ethics and competency profiles for management and staff

Integration of Guinea’s CNPS into CIPRES agencies

Progress on statistical, financial, and accounting data communication

Review of arrears in contributions from Member States

Designation of the host country for the 41st session

Preparations for the High-Level Forum on Social Protection

At the opening, Cheick Tidiane Tounkara, Chairman of the CIPRES Oversight Committee, praised member states’ commitment and emphasized strengthening governance, transparency, and effectiveness of social protection systems.

On behalf of the Minister of Labor, Employment, Social Protection, and Vocational Training, Victor Mazamga highlighted the global challenges of economic instability and social inequalities, urging experts to share experiences and intensify collaboration to enhance social protection systems in the CIPRES region.

A high-level forum on social protection will also take place on the sidelines of the Council of Ministers meeting in Bangui.