Hanoi, (VNA) - The attendance of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan at the 18th Francophonie Summit in Djerba, Tunisia, demonstrates the role and position of Vietnam – a key Francophone country in Asia-Pacific - as a responsible and active member of the Francophone community.
With a policy of diversification and multilateralisation of foreign relations, Vietnam attaches great importance to the Francophone community and has actively contributed to the community’s common activities.
Raising Vietnam’s position
The International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) has developed into a diverse space providing Vietnam with more opportunities to grow and promote integration.
The OIF was established in 1970 and today has 88 members and observers across five continents. Incorporating 1.2 billion people, the Francophone Community accounts for 16% of the world population and 16.5% of total global assets.
The first Francophonie Summit was held for the first time in 1986 and has since taken place every two years. French is the sole or combined official language of 32 member countries and administrations.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets OIF Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam joined the Agency of Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT) – the predecessor of OIF – in 1979. Since then, the relationship between Vietnam and the Francophone Community has constantly developed.
Earlier, most Francophone countries actively supported the struggle for national independence in the 20th century and considered Vietnam a symbol of the struggle.
Over the past 30 years, Vietnam has received valuable assistance from the Francophone community. At the same time, the community has been a venue for Vietnam to strengthen bilateral relations with countries, including developed countries like France or Canada, and traditional African friends.
Vietnam has made efforts to promote its cooperative ties with the Francophone community and to be an active and responsible community member, playing a key role in the Francophone movement in the Asia-Pacific region.
The country has proposed many initiatives to enhance cooperation and dialogue among community members. The presence of high-ranking Vietnamese leaders at Francophonie summits demonstrates that Vietnam treasures its ties with the community.
With its successful hosting of the 7th Francophonie Summit in 1997, Vietnam made important contributions to institutionalising political activities and enhancing economic cooperation in the OIF.
Vietnam has been elected to many key positions of the OIF, such as Chair of the Permanent Council of the Francophonie (CPF) in 1996, Chair of the Francophonie Ministerial Conference (CMF) in the 1996-1997 tenure, Chair of the Summit in the 1997-1998 tenure, Vice President of the CPF’s financial and administrative committee for two tenures - 2009-2011 and 2011-2013, Chair of CPF’s cooperation and programme committee in the 2013-2015 tenure, member of the executive council of the Association of Francophone Universities in 2013-2017 and 2017-2021 tenures, Chair of the Network of Structures and Institutions in charge of Francophonie in Asia-Pacific (RESIFAP) in the first tenure 2013-2016.
Vietnam has attended most General Assemblies of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF). The country was elected Vice President of APF for three tenures (2007-2009, 2009- 2011, 2013-2015) and assumed the role of Chair of the Asia-Pacific region in the 2015-2017 tenure.
Francophone Community appreciates Vietnam’s role
During a Vietnam visit in December 2019, OIF Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo acknowledged Vietnam's importance and active role in the Francophone community.
She appreciated Vietnam’s role in peacekeeping missions in Africa and the teaching of French in the country’s schools, which she said contributed to strengthening the bond among OIF members.
OIF and its executive agencies have coordinated with several Francophone countries to implement many projects in Vietnam in French teaching, scientific research, technology, economy, trade, pharmaceuticals and law.
After Vietnam officially participated in the UN peacekeeping activities in June 2014, the OIF paid attention to cooperation with the country in this field. As the first step in this direction, the organisation provided financial support for Vietnamese officials in relevant ministries and agencies to attend training courses in French for UN peacekeeping activities in Geneva in February 2016.
At a session on September 8, 2020, of the UN Security Council with the first ever open discussion on UN-OIF cooperation, Vietnam, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, proposed building a Francophone network to share experience in implementing UN projects in Africa, and strengthening tripartite cooperation among the UN, OIF and the African Union (AU) in settling conflicts.
Working with Francophone economies for sustainable economic recovery
Alongside political, cultural and social cooperation, economic cooperation in the Francophone community is a focus of Vietnam’s policy, especially in the context of OIF member countries striving for post-pandemic economic recovery.
As Chair of the OIF’s economic committee, Vietnam successfully coordinated the drafting of the Francophone Economic Development Strategy for 2020-2025.
Vietnam is always ready to share its experience in agricultural development with other OIF members.
At a meeting with the OIF Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo in November 2021, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked the Francophone Community to seek specific solutions to promote economic cooperation among member countries and help underdeveloped countries in economic development and integration.
OIF Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo opens the Francophone business forum in March 2022 (Photo: VNA)
The OIF Secretary General said Vietnam is an attractive market, and Francophone countries are interested in boosting economic and trade relations with Vietnam.
She said that is why Vietnam was selected as the first destination of the OIF economic and trade promotion delegation with nearly 100 business people from Francophone countries across all continents in March this year to connect cooperation opportunities after a two-year hiatus by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a proactive spirit and with a high sense of responsibility, Vietnam has been working hard to promote the image and presence of the Francophone community in the Asia-Pacific region, and through which elevates the country’s position in the international arena./.
