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Salif Traoré (A'Salfo), UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and lead singer of the band Magic System announced the 8th edition of the Festival of Urban Music Anoumabo (FEMUA) at the press conference, which was held at UNESCO Headquarters on 19 February 2015. This new edition of the FEMUA is placed under the theme of integration and rapprochement of people.

This Press Conference took place in the presence of Mr Kadré Desiré Ouedraogo, President of the ECOWAS Commission (Economic Community of West African States) and guest of honour of the 8^th edition of FEMUA, Mr Eric, Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information as well as the guests artists of FEMUA such as Fally Ipupa from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Smarty from Burkina Faso. 

Initiated by Salif Traoré in 2008, this Festival gathers world-known artists over a period of three days. While providing joy to thousands of people, the Festival also aims to construct and rehabilitate the basic infrastructures in the areas of education and health for disadvantaged people in Côte d’Ivoire. This festival is already enabled to financially support the construction of the elementary and primary school "Magic System" in Marcory-Anoumabo as well as the rehabilitation of several orphanages and equipment of health centers in the country.

In his welcome message Mr Eric Falt delivered on the occasion of the press conference, he recalled that the theme of the 8th edition of FEMUA fits perfectly into the framework of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022) for which UNESCO is the leading United Nations Agency. "This International Decade provides a unique opportunity to reaffirm the ideals of a plural humanity where cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue are reinforced mutually", underlined Mr Falt on that occasion. He also thanked Mr. Kadré Desiré Ouedraogo, President of the ECOWAS Commission, with which UNESCO is maintaining strong ties of cooperation, in particular in the framework of the Operational Strategy for Priority Africa. 

Designated as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2012, Salif Traoré supports the Organization’s work in the field of girls’ literacy in Africa. He is also General Commissioner of the Festival of Urban Music Anoumabo to be held this year from 21^st to 25 April next in Côté d’Ivoire.