Society

Vietnam’s role in OIF highlighted at Montpellier conference

Scholars and experts on French language and culture have affirmed Vietnam’s increasingly important role in the French-speaking community and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
Vietnam’s role in OIF highlighted at Montpellier conference ảnh 1Participants at the conference (Photo: VNA)
Paris (VNA) – Scholars and experts on French language and culture have affirmedVietnam’s increasingly important role in the French-speaking community and theInternational Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) at aconference in France’ssouthern city of Montpellier as part of the Francophone Week from March 27-31.

Imma Tor Faus, who represented the OIF Secretary-General, highlighted theposition and role of Vietnam in the OIF as well as the maintenance anddevelopment of French language in the country.

Sherecognised Vietnam’s significant contributions to the OIF since it joined theorganisation in 1970, especially through the hosting of the Francophone Summitin 1997.

Frenchlanguage in Vietnam has helped foster economic and trade ties with partners,especially in African countries, she said, mentioning Vietnam’s rice growingproject in Cameroon, cashew processing plants in Benin and Ivory Coast, andwood processing project in Gabon.

Theincreasing role of French language in Asia will contribute to promotingexchanges in the region towards a better and more humane world, said Faus.

At theevent, themed “French in Vietnam: History, literature and memories”, VietnameseAmbassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Sonreviewed important milestones in therelations between Vietnam and the IOF in 2016, including the OIF GeneralSecretary’s Vietnam visitin September, President Tran Dai Quang’s attendance atthe Francophone Summit in Madagascar in November, and French President FrancoisHollande’s visit to Vietnam.

The diplomatlauded the achievements of the OIF in various fields, especially preventing andcoping with crises, reinforcing peace, respecting international law, andpromoting cultural diversity, education and environmental protection.

However, healso pointed out that the French-speaking community is facing challenges inVietnam and the Asian region such as modest number of French speakers.

He urged theOIF to continue supporting the teaching of French language, with priority givento bilingual classes, while increasing scholarships and training courses forpublic servants and diplomats.

In terms ofeconomy, the organisation should work harder for the formation of an economicsystem using French language, support partnerships among members and promote themultilateral cooperation in French-speaking space.

On thesidelines of the Francophone Week, Ambassador Son had a meeting with PierrePousessel, Governor of Heraultprefecture to discuss cooperation between thelocality and Vietnamese partners, especially in economy and tertiary education.-VNA
VNA
#International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) #Francophone Week France
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