Promoting multilateralism for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future

Within the framework of the Francophone Summit, on October 5 (local time) in Paris, France, General Secretary and President To Lam continued to attend official meetings and delivered an important speech at the conference.

At the conference, the leaders highly appreciated the contributions of the Francophone community in promoting dialogue and peace building, promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and responding to global challenges. The leaders also shared concerns about some complicated developments in the world situation recently, especially in the region. Middle East; emphasizes the need for multilateral institutional reform, including institutions French, enhance operational efficiency and promptly adapt to the trends of the times.

Speaking at the conference's "For a Renewed Multilateralism" session, General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed the irreplaceable role of multilateral mechanisms, highlighting the contributions of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) and Francophone institutions in addressing issues of common concern to the international community, as well as the processes of building frameworks and principles for emerging issues.

In order to promote the role of multilateralism, the General Secretary and President emphasized the need to link it with major transformation processes, especially digital transformation and green transformation. The Francophone space also needs to adapt to this trend, supporting members to improve their technological capacity, develop clean energy and successfully implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Science and technology are the key for the Francophone community to create breakthroughs in the future.

To improve the effectiveness of multilateral institutions, including the International Organization of La Francophonie, the General Secretary and President affirmed that it is necessary to promote reforms to be able to respond to rapid changes in the world situation and the Francophone space. Francophonie also needs to innovate in the direction of focusing more on the priorities of its members, especially on economic cooperation and coordination in implementing the documents of the Future Summit. Multilateralism can only be successful if it ensures inclusiveness, comprehensiveness, and is people-centered, especially the young generation. Accordingly, the General Secretary and President suggested that Francophonie continue to promote people-to-people exchange programs, cultural and educational exchanges through French in order to maintain a beautiful language that connects Francophone members, thereby spreading the results of Francophone cooperation to all people.

* In the afternoon, the Closing Session of the 19th Francophone Summit took place. After two days of effective and substantive work, the heads of state and government of Francophone member states unanimously adopted many important documents, including the Villers-Cotterêts Joint Declaration, the Resolution on the political situation and strengthening peace in the Francophone space, and the Declaration on solidarity with Lebanon.

The Villers-Cotterêts Declaration affirms commitment to the common values ​​of the Francophone language: peace, cooperation, sustainable development, and respect for the United Nations Charter and international law.

The statement emphasized the efforts of the Francophone in responding to and addressing common challenges, especially climate change, job creation, and promoting gender equality.

The Declaration calls on member countries to encourage and support cooperation activities in science, technology, innovation, promoting digital economy, startups, and promoting public-private partnerships.

The statement affirms the commitment to promoting the French language, emphasizing the role of French in training, teaching, creativity, and promoting cultural diversity.

The statement emphasizes the determination of Francophone member countries in implementing sustainable development, ensuring harmony between growth efforts, poverty eradication and environmental protection.

The conference also unanimously agreed to admit Ghana and the Republic of Cyprus as full members, bringing the OIF membership to 93; and admitted Angola, Chile, the Nouvelle-Escosse region (Canada), French Polynesia and the Sarre region (Germany) as observers.

The Conference decided to hold the 46th Francophonie Ministerial Conference in Côte d'Ivoire in 2025 and the 20th Francophonie Summit in Cambodia in 2026. After the 7th Francophonie Summit held in Hanoi in 1997, this will be the second time the Summit is held in the Asia-Pacific region.

* The 19th Francophone Summit took place on October 4-5 in France. After 33 years, the Conference was held in France. The Opening Session was held at Villers-Cotterêts Castle. The official sessions took place at the Grand Palais, Paris, France.