During the United Nations’ General Assembly in New York, between the 19th and the 25th September 2017, Joël Ruet took part in a working lunch with the Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in the Public Library of New York.  
The Bridge Tank’s chairman then attended the annual Hope Foundation Dinner Gala on the 19th of September. The Foundation, chaired by Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO and member of the Bridge Tank’s board, awarded to President Keïta a prize for his actions to preserve culture, and notably the Timbuktu manuscripts. 

Joël Ruet was also interviewed at this occasion by the Moroccan Press Agency, and said that this prize rewarded years of effort in Morocco and its region. He added that the opening of Morocco to Africa demonstrated the King’s understanding of sustainable development and social integration challenges, both in the kingdom and in the region. 

Watch his interview here.