ABIDJAN, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Ivorian Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition Abou Bamba said Friday that Cote d'Ivoire aims to make environmental policy a concrete driver of economic and social transformation.

Speaking at an event, Bamba stressed that economic development and environmental protection are closely linked.

"Economic development and environmental protection are not contradictory, but fully complementary. A country that develops sustainably is one that integrates environmental and climate considerations into its development policies," he said.

Bamba called on Ivorians to adopt more responsible behavior to preserve the country's abundant natural resources, whose development could promote ecotourism and the creation of green jobs. ■