President To Lam Attends 19th Francophonie Summit in France
Paris, The Gulf Observer: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam led a high-ranking delegation from Vietnam to the opening session of the 19th Francophonie Summit, held at Villers-Cotterêts castle in France. The summit, under the theme “Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship in French,” was officially inaugurated by French President Emmanuel Macron.
In his opening remarks, President Macron highlighted the special bond shared by Francophone countries and emphasized the importance of promoting cooperation to ensure that the French language continues to thrive as a medium of culture, trade, and innovation. He stressed the core values of the Francophone community, including solidarity, cultural and linguistic diversity, respect for sovereignty, and the promotion of peace and prosperity.
Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), Louise Mushikiwabo, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to reforms in response to global changes, with a focus on digital transformation, sustainable development, and supporting youth and women’s programs. She also emphasized the importance of promoting French-language education and entrepreneurship.
On the same day, President Lam participated in a banquet hosted by President Macron, delivered a speech at FrancoTech 2024—a trade fair showcasing innovation—and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Benin’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
President Lam is scheduled to deliver a key address at the summit on October 5, and will hold discussions with leaders from various countries and international organizations to enhance bilateral and multilateral diplomatic, political, and economic cooperation.
The 19th Francophonie Summit is being held in France from October 4-5, featuring various activities such as FrancoTech 2024, a Francophone cultural village, and a Francophone festival.
