Mnatsakanyan Presides Over the 36th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie

On October 30 and 31, the 36th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie took place in Monaco, presided over by the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. The meeting was attended by foreign ministers and heads of delegations from member states of the organization.

In their opening speeches, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Secretary General of the OIF Louise Mushikiwabo, and Monaco’s Minister of State Serge Telle addressed the participants. In welcoming the attendees, Minister Mnatsakanyan presented the progress in fulfilling the commitments made by the leaders of Francophone states and governments during the Yerevan summit, as well as the initiatives undertaken during Armenia’s presidency.

In this regard, Minister Mnatsakanyan emphasized the strengthening of economic ties in the Francophone region and the promotion of a digital agenda, innovation, and new technologies as priorities of Armenia's presidency.

Mnatsakanyan indicated that, given the importance we attach to these areas, the presentation of the draft resolution is a decisive step toward fully realizing the digital potential present in the Francophone space and offering new ideas.

“Our interest in these issues has already been reflected in the work of the Yerevan summit and in the declaration adopted within its framework. At the national level, the Government of Armenia has declared information technologies as a strategic sector and is making consistent efforts to promote innovation and high technology. We are convinced that promoting innovation and new technologies in the Francophone world is one of our main priorities,” he stated.

The Minister added that, among other initiatives, Armenia will contribute to the organization of an economic forum on the processes of the Francophonie and regional economic integration. The head of Armenia’s foreign policy emphasized the importance of close cooperation with the International Organization of La Francophonie in implementing the aforementioned initiatives, as well as the active involvement of regional and international organizations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Armenia's appreciation for the authorities of Monaco regarding the environmental themes discussed at the conference, expressing confidence that this will strengthen the organization's already adopted positions in the fight against climate change, as well as in our actions aimed at environmental protection and the promotion of biodiversity.

As a result of the two-day ministerial conference, four resolutions were adopted by the participants on oceans, the role of innovation in the development of science, education, and the digital economy, the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the 50th anniversary of the Francophonie.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, the presiding president of the Francophonie Ministerial Conference, ceremoniously passed the presidency of the 37th ministerial conference to Tunisia.