From left to right: Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma and Secretary-General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie Abdou Diouf.
Commonwealth and La Francophonie discuss future co-operation
25 February 2011
“I think that we are in a good position to influence the debates which will determine the future of our planet” - La Francophonie Secretary-General
The Secretary-General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Abdou Diouf, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, met at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London on Thursday, 24 February.
The talks focused on building on the existing joint efforts of the two bodies, particularly in the G20. In 2010 at the Toronto and Seoul summits, together they made strong and specific representations for richer countries to attend to the needs of the poorer.
They also discussed future co-operation between the two organisations on strengthening democracy, the rule of law and human rights, supporting young people, and engaging with civil society.
Mr Diouf said: “As you know the Commonwealth and La Francophonie share the same values and are engaged in and for the same causes on behalf of our member countries.
“Today we dwelt on the next meeting of the G20. As you know, last year our meeting with Prime Minister Harper, when he was preparing for the Toronto Summit, was very successful, and we wish to establish this tradition.
“Our conversations today saw us in perfect convergence on the issues, and I think that we are in a good position to influence the debates which will determine the future of our planet.”
Mr Sharma added: “The partnership which the Commonwealth has with the Francophonie is one of the oldest and the most important ones. Together we represent more than half of the world’s countries, and we certainly represent more than half of the world’s concerns.
“We have discussed many approaches to many of these issues, particularly issues pertaining to the small and vulnerable countries in the global community, issues facing the youth of the world, issues of democracy, of human rights, of electoral practices, and all that makes the world a more stable place and a more peaceful and prosperous place.”
The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie groups 56 French-speaking countries and 14 observers. The Commonwealth is an association of 54 member countries.
Eleven countries are members of both organisations: Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Ghana, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Seychelles and Vanuatu.
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