A Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador to France Nguyen Thiep attended the 36^th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie (CMF) in Monaco from 30 – 31 October.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Thiep at the event (Photo: baochinhphu)

The event, themed "Reconciling humanity and the planet: perspectives in the Francophone space on the eve of 50 years of the International Organisation of Francophonie (OIF)", drew over 80 delegations from countries and territories that are members and observers of the OIF.

Speaking at the event, Thiep affirmed Viet Nam’s support for the OIF’s efforts, especially in promoting economic cooperation, strengthening connectivity among regions, particularly Africa and ASEAN, and partnership in innovation, sustainable development and governance reform.

Highlighting peace and stability as prerequisites for sustainable development, he expressed Viet Nam’s concern over recent developments in the East Sea caused by the restoration and upgrade of rock islands, militarisation, violations of sovereignty and sovereign right in Vietnam’s waters as defined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Thiep called on concerned parties in the East Sea to exercise restraint, settle disputes via peaceful means in line with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS, fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and speed up negotiations to soon reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The diplomat also urged the Francophone community to continue raising objective voices and supporting efforts of the concerned parties to turn the East Sea into a region of peace, stability and cooperation.

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020 – 2021 tenure, Viet Nam will strive to ensure peace and security in the Francophone space, particularly in Francophone member countries in Africa, he said.

Participants expressed their interest in approaches to dealing with crisis and terrorism, coping with climate change, fulfilling sustainable development goals, ensuring gender equality and collaboration in digital, cultural and language fields.

The conference adopted four resolutions on oceanography, the role of innovation in science, education and digital economy; the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the 50^th founding anniversary of OIF.

Founded in 1970, OIF now groups 88 member states and territories. Viet Nam is an active and important member of the organisation in Asia-Pacific. 

(Source: VNA)