Farewell Speech
169th International Training Course
Ms. Yasmine Nagnouma Keita (Cote d’lvoire)

Director Senta, Deputy Director Ishihara, Professor Yamada, faculty and staff of UNAFEI,JICA, ACPF, distinguished guests, my dear fellow participants.
Good evening, kon-banwa.
It is a great honor and a pleasure to be standing here to deliver this farewell speech on
behalf of all participants of the UNAFEI 169th international training course. These past 6weeks have surpassed our best expectations. When I was writing this speech, my memory
moved from the warm welcome party, the sparkling dinner cruise at Yokohama Bay, thewalk into the “Electronic town” of Akihabara, the incredible Grand Sumo Tournament, thebeautiful temple and shrine of Asakusa and Fushimi-Inari, and the moving visit at
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Not only our entire stay in Japan has been entertaining but it also enriched us on both apersonal and an intellectual level. During these past 36 days, we have developed a filial
affection towards each other, as well as to the staff of UNAFEI and JICA. All ourprofessors, administrative staff – especially Arisa-san, Kita-san and Minase-san –, and ourJapanese classmates Shun-san, Ryo-san, Peter-san, Taka-san, Hiro-san, Yosh-san, andHeidi-san have become our second family. Days after days, on weekdays and weekends,
from morning until night, from breakfast to dinner, on the trains and buses, we shared1

precious moments and fun as well as cough times together (luckily, we all survived). Being
able to see a smile in the cafeteria or hear a burst of laugher coming from the smoking area
was very nice and heartwarming. We all giggled during the Japanese classes and moved ourbodies the best we could on the Lounge B dance floor. Yes, we did it all together. And yes,
all these memories are unforgettable.
Each of us remembers our arrival here at UNAFEI when we were all surprised to see somany people at the entrance, waving hands and welcoming us. So, let us take thisopportunity to thank all of you for being so caring and open to us. We will remember eachone of you for helping us and providing us with the necessary support whenever we needed
it the most.
We would like to thank UNAFEI and JICA for granting us the opportunity to motivate ourinterest and increase our knowledge by arranging lectures of Japanese and foreign experts.
We are thankful for the organized visits and study trip to places where we were able toobserve the effective implementation of Japan's good practices in the fight against illicit
drug trafficking. Our sincere gratitude also goes to the staff of Yokohama District Court,
Ministry of Justice, Kobe Customs Office and Kyoto Public Prosecutor’s Office for theirkind welcomes and patient explanations on their daily work. We deeply appreciate theesteem shown by the Minister of Justice and the Deputy Minister who, despite their busy
agendas, spent a moment to receive us and give us a wise advice.
We also greatly benefited from the group work assignment. Apart from the knowledge we
gained in drafting the paper according to the assigned subject, we got the chance to2

examine specific measures, share experience and discuss the best practices we could bringback to our respective countries to combat illicit drug trafficking more efficiently. Now that
we are leaving, we want you to remember only the good times we have had together and toforgive us for any lack of courtesy we might have shown.
We send our best wishes to UNAFEI, JICA, and the ACPF and we sincerely hope that yourorganizations will continue developing interesting and exciting training programs thatwould benefit to other participants from all over the world and for many more years tocome. Tomorrow, we are leaving with a wealth of knowledge we will always treasure.
Now, allow me to speak on my behalf. I wish everyone here to be healthy and happy inyour lives. Thank you once again for all your support and friendship. Moments spent withyou all will always hold a special place in my heart.
Domo arigato gozaimasu

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