Your Excellencies,
I’d like to thank Tunisia, a friendly country, for the warm welcome and the organization of this meeting.
It’s an honor for me to represent Greece at this Summit, which is critical for the future of our Organization.
It’s clear that since the Yerevan Summit, our world is no longer the same: the pandemic and the consequences of the war in Ukraine have upended the normal order of things. Our world is in transition. So is the Francophonie.
This Summit’s theme, dedicated to the digital world, could not be more relevant. The pandemic has given a new impetus to the exploitation of the vast potential of the Internet, in terms of training, services, and trade. My country has been rapidly digitizing its public sector. We want to go even further and we are ready to share our experience.
With this in mind, let me share some thoughts of mine on the three texts we have before us.
First of all, the Declaration on the French Language in the context of Linguistic Diversity:
That brings us back to the basics: if we are sitting at the same table today, that is due to our shared communication code. The French language, as a vehicle of education and culture, opens the doors to synergies, exchanges, and mobility. It also reflects major demographic changes: the International Organization of La Francophonie estimates that by 2050 Africa will be home to approximately 85% of the world’s French speakers. La Francophonie of the future will undoubtedly be located on the African continent.
Secondly, at the level of governance:
The Regulation, relating to the procedures for membership or modification of status, is the result of a long process of reform of our Organization. Similar to any other entity, we cannot move forward without a coherent, clear, and concise framework. A framework, for those who wish to join us, that designates our shared values.
Lastly, the strategic framework for 2023-2030:
It gives the guidelines for the years to come. I’d like to emphasize the tangible solutions that the Francophonie should provide for our peoples on the ground. I am referring in particular to the various projects, such as the teacher mobility project, and the OIF’s economic and trade missions.
Your Excellencies,
Greece closely follows the developments in the French-speaking world and contributes to the construction of La Francophonie of the future.
– We have reinstated French as a prerequisite for entry into the Greek diplomatic career competition.
– Our Ministry of Education is working closely with the OIF to improve the training of French language teachers in Greece.
– With the appointment of Ambassador Ms. Kontoleon as OIF Representative to the United Nations, Greece has assumed its first position of responsibility within our Organization.
– My country is strengthening its ties with the African States that are members of the great Le Francophonie family.
We will continue on this path.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, which brings us all together, I wish to present Greece’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-2026 term. In this regard, I’d like to ask for your support for our candidacy, taking into account the ties that bind us together.
Thank you for your attention.