Morocco Takes Center Stage at Francophonie Summit: PM Akhannouch Represents King Mohammed VI

Saturday 05 October 2024 - 11:40

Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch is representing His Majesty King Mohammed VI at the 19th Francophonie Summit in Paris, underscoring the nation's commitment to cultural exchange and economic cooperation among French-speaking countries. The two-day event, themed "Create, innovate, and undertake in French," commenced on Friday at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts.

Upon arrival, Prime Minister Akhannouch was warmly received by French President Emmanuel Macron, First Lady Brigitte Macron, and Louise Mushikiwabo, the Rwandan diplomat serving as Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).

The summit's agenda is packed with high-level engagements, including ministerial meetings and discussions between heads of state and government. In addition, the event showcases young creators and entrepreneurs, highlighting the Francophonie's focus on innovation and economic development.

Morocco's participation in the OIF dates back to 1981, reflecting the kingdom's long-standing dedication to promoting cultural diversity, multilingualism, and international cooperation. This aligns seamlessly with the OIF's mission, which has evolved significantly since its establishment in 1970.

Today, the OIF brings together 88 states and governments, united in their efforts to promote the French language, cultural and linguistic diversity, peace, democracy, human rights, education, research, and cooperation. The organization's scope has broadened over time, now encompassing a wide range of multilateral cooperation initiatives.

The evolution of the OIF's mission reflects the growing diversity of its membership, which now includes many non-French-speaking nations. This expansion has led to discussions within the Francophonie community about the organization's focus, with some advocating for a renewed emphasis on core language missions.

In response to these discussions, recent assessments have been conducted to evaluate the OIF's actions and missions. A 2017 French Senate report recommended a stronger focus on the French language as the organization's primary objective. Meanwhile, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while affirming the value of France's contributions to the OIF, suggested potential improvements to operational frameworks.

As the OIF continues to adapt to changing global dynamics, the Francophonie Summit remains its highest authority, convening biennially to set the organization's political direction. Morocco's active participation in this summit underscores its commitment to the Francophonie's ideals and its role in shaping the future of this influential international organization.