Vietnam suggests reforming multilateralism at Francophonie Summit
VOV.VN - Party General Secretary and State President To Lam of Vietnam stressed the need to modernizing the multilateral system to address global challenges at the 19th Francophonie Summit in Paris on October 5.
Addressing a session on reformed multilateralism, To Lam affirmed the irreplaceable role of multilateral mechanisms and highlighted the contributions of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) and French-speaking institutions to addressing common concerns of the international community, as well as to establishing frameworks and principles for emerging issues.
To promote the role of multilateralism, he underscored the need to align it with major transformation processes, particularly digital transformation and green transition.
The Francophone community should adapt to this trend, supporting its members in enhancing their technological capabilities, developing clean energy, and successfully achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, he said, adding science and technology are key for the Francophone community to create breakthroughs in the future.
To enhance the effectiveness of multilateral institutions, including the OIF, the Vietnamese leader emphasized the need for reforms to respond to the rapidly changing global landscape and Francophone space.
The organization should also innovate to focus more on priorities of its members, especially regarding economic cooperation and coordination in realizing documents adopted at the recent UN Summit of the Future, he suggested.
Multilateralism can only succeed only when it ensures inclusiveness, comprehensiveness, and a people-centered approach, particularly for the youth, he stressed.
Accordingly, the Vietnamese leader called on the OIF to continue promoting people-to-people exchanges and cultural and educational initiatives through the French language, aiming to maintain a beautiful language that connects Francophone members and disseminates the results of the organization's cooperation to all citizens.
At the summit, participating leaders highly valued the Francophone community’s contributions to promoting dialogue, building peace, and bringing into play cultural and language diversity, thereby helping implement the Sustainable Development Goals and cope with global challenges.
They also voiced concerns over recent complicated developments in the world, especially in the Middle East. They underlined the request for reforming multilateral mechanisms, including Francophone ones, improve the mechanisms’ efficiency, and adapt to the trends of the era in a timely manner.
At the closing ceremony on October 5 afternoon, the 19th Francophone Summit adopted several important documents, including the Villers-Cotterêts Declaration, a resolution on the political situation and peacebuilding in the Francophone space, and a declaration of solidarity with Lebanon.
The Villers-Cotterêts Declaration reaffirms commitment to the shared values of the International Organization of La Francophonie, namely peace, cooperation, and sustainable development, while upholding respect for the UN Charter and international law.
The declaration emphasizes the organization's efforts to address and resolve common challenges, particularly climate change, employment issues, and the promotion of gender equality. It calls on member states to encourage and support cooperative activities in science-technology, innovation, and creativity, as well as to promote the digital economy, entrepreneurship, and public-private partnerships.
Furthermore, the declaration affirms the commitment to promoting the French language, highlighting its role in education, teaching, creativity, and cultural diversity. It also underscores the determination of Francophone member states to achieve sustainable development, and ensure harmony between growth efforts, poverty eradication, and environmental protection.
The two-day summit also agreed the official membership of Ghana and Republic of Cyprus to the OIF, raising the number of the organisation’s members to 93. Besides, it admitted Angola, Chile, Canada’s Nouvelle-Escosse province, France’s Polynesia region and Germany’s Sarre state as observers.
The summit decided the organisation of the 46th Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie in Côte d'Ivoire next year and the 20th Francophonie Summit in Cambodia in 2026.
