UNIDO and Francophonie cooperation builds on a solid long-term basis
The Francophonie refers to men and women who share a common language: French. According to the statistics of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), we estimate over 300 million French speakers across five continents. UNIDO and the OIF share 47 member states in Africa, Central America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. The UNIDO takes actively part in major francophonie events. For instance, in November 2018, the UNIDO DG LI Yong attended the first edition of the Paris Peace Forum, which gathered more than 60 heads of the states and strengthened international cooperation to tackle global challenges and ensure durable peace. Besides, constant dialogues are maintained and conferences are jointly organized in Brussels.
2021 July : Meeting with H.E. Fatou Isidora MARA NIANG, Ambassador, OIF Representative to the EU (FR)
Fatou Isidora MARA NIANG is the Representative of the OIF to the European Union.
Ambassador Fatou Isidora MARA NIANG will use her 20 years of experience in Senegalese diplomacy to strengthen the presence and influence of the International Organization of the Francophonie in the various European forums. Prior to her appointment, the new Representative was Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the Republic of Senegal, with the rank of Minister. From 2013 to 2019, she was Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister. She was in charge of bilateral cooperation, multilateral issues and the coordination of official visits.
2021 May: Meeting with the Asia Pacific Regional Representative of OIF in Hanoi, Vietnam
UNIDO Brussels liaison office representative Patrick Gilabert met with Chekou Oussouman for economic promotion in Vietnam and in Cambodia, also for the coming Economic Forum of the XVIII Francophonie Summit November 2021 in Djerba, Tunisia.
The OIF implements multilateral francophone cooperation projects alongside the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie and four operating agencies: Association of Francophone Universities, TV5MONDE, International Association of Francophone Mayors, and Senghor University in Alexandria.
2019 November: UNIDO at Francophone business meeting in Paris, France
PARIS, 28 November 2019 – At Rencontres d’Affaires Francophones, the largest multi-sector Francophone business meeting organized in France, UNIDO participated in a workshop on “International partnerships and funding with the United Nations”.
Patrick Gilabert, head of UNIDO’s Brussels office, stressed some key background information on the functioning of the UN system as a whole, highlighted the new priorities and mechanisms put in place by the new European Union (EU) for 2021-2027, analysed the evolution of EU financial resources channelled through the UN system, and explained the different channels of cooperation between UNIDO and the private sector using some concrete examples.
2018 November: UNIDO Director General attends the Paris Peace Forum
PARIS, 11 November 2018 – The Director General of UNIDO, LI Yong, today joined more than 60 heads of state for the opening of the first edition of the Paris Peace Forum, which aims to strengthen international cooperation to tackle global challenges and ensure durable peace.
An initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron, the three-day event gathers key global governance actors, including representatives of governments, international organizations, NGOs, the private sector and trade unions, to discuss solutions such as multilateral institutions, norms and standards, and collective action. It also presents concrete governance projects related to peace and security, environment, development, new technologies and inclusive economy.
2018 November: Follow-up to Francophonie Summit in Paris, France
UNIDO Representative, Mr. Gilabert, went on a mission to Paris, as a follow up to the Francophonie summit, held in Yerevan, Armenia, in October 2018. Mr. Gilabert met with H.E. Ter Stepanian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in France. Mr. Gilabert and H.E. Mr. Stepanian had a fruitful exchange on the work UNIDO is doing in Armenia and how to further improve it. In addition to the exchange with H.E. Mr. Stepanian, Mr. Gilabert met with some representatives of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). On this occasion UNIDO and OIF started a dialogue on the added value that UNIDO can bring to the development of francophone Countries, especially in Africa. UNIDO and the OIF will strengthen their cooperation and identify potential joint activities that benefit their Member States.
2018 October: UNIDO shows strong participation at the 17th Francophonie Summit in Yerevan, Armenia
YEREVAN, 12 October 2018 – UNIDO took an active part at the 17th Francophonie Summit held this week in Yerevan, Armenia, in view of strengthening cooperation with francophone countries. Held under the theme “Living together in solidarity, shared humanistic values, and respect for diversity: a source of peace and prosperity in La Francophonie”, this year’s edition of the summit saw Louise Mushikiwabo from Rwanda elected as new Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).
2018 Sommet de la Francophonie
2018 September: UNIDO Permanent Representative in Brussels, Patrick Gilabert meets with OIF Permanent Representative to EU, Stéphane Lopez
Stéphane LOPEZ is the Ambassador and the Permanent representative of the OIF (EU, ACP, CoE, Belgium and FWB). He was in charge of French-speaking influence in European countries, and in particular in those of Baltic, Central, Balkan and Mediterranean Europe. He led negotiations on behalf of the Secretary General of La Francophonie. In 2012, he was appointed Deputy Permanent Representative to the Permanent Representation of the OIF to the European Union and the Kingdom of Belgium, in Brussels. He has held the position of Representative since 2014, with the title and rank of Ambassador accredited.
