The XVIe Assembly of Francophone NGOs accredited to the Francophonie has commenced in Cotonou, Benin, with over 100 representatives from various Francophone countries in attendance. The meeting, which opened on September 28, aims to generate concrete recommendations on peace, territorial resilience, and shared prosperity. These recommendations will be presented at the XXth Francophonie Summit scheduled for November in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The assembly is a crucial event that precedes the Francophonie Summit, allowing civil society organizations to consult and formulate contributions in line with the summit's major orientations.
The assembly's theme, "Reinvesting in Peace, Mobilizing Francophone Civil Society for Shared Prosperity, Resilient Territories, and Sustainable Stability," reflects the significance of the gathering. The event provides a platform for civil society organizations to share their experiences, challenges, and best practices in promoting peace and stability in their respective countries. By bringing together representatives from diverse backgrounds, the assembly seeks to foster a collective and responsible voice for the Francophone civil society. The discussions will focus on transforming field experiences into proposals and organizational commitments into concrete actions.
Claude Musavyi, President of the Francophonie NGOs Conference, emphasized the importance of the assembly in his opening remarks. He stressed that peace should not remain an ideal but become a daily construct in communities, territories, and institutions. Musavyi encouraged the delegates to take ownership of the assembly and ensure that their discussions lead to tangible outcomes. He also highlighted the need for Francophone civil society to provide a useful, responsible, and collective voice.
Désiré Nyaruhirira, Ambassador and Special Advisor, representing the Secretary-General of the Francophonie, also addressed the assembly. He underscored the vital role of civil society in Francophone action and the significance of the NGOs Conference as a privileged space for dialogue between the Francophonie and civil society organizations. Nyaruhirira emphasized that these organizations are in direct contact with populations, initiate projects, alert on challenges, and propose solutions. He expressed hope that this proximity would enable civil society to contribute more substantially to finding concrete solutions to the challenges faced by Francophone countries.
The assembly will also focus on renewing the governance of the Francophonie NGOs Conference for the period 2026-2028 and adopting a declaration addressed to the next Francophonie Summit. The discussions will cover crucial topics such as peace, territorial resilience, shared prosperity, and the role of youth and women in development dynamics. The assembly's outcomes are expected to contribute significantly to the Francophonie Summit's debates and decisions.
Franck Armel Afoukou, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin, welcomed the assembly to Cotonou and reaffirmed Benin's commitment to Francophonie values, including dialogue, solidarity, cooperation, and respect for diversity. He highlighted the essential role of civil society organizations in promoting social cohesion, defending fundamental rights, and preventing tensions. Afoukou also mentioned recent reforms in Benin, including the adoption of a new law on associations and foundations, as well as a reform of the territorial framework aimed at promoting local development.
The XVIe Assembly of Francophone NGOs will conclude with recommendations addressed to the XXth Francophonie Summit. The assembly's discussions are expected to emphasize the importance of peace, territorial resilience, and shared prosperity in the Francophone space. The event demonstrates the commitment of Francophone civil society to promoting a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous world.
Key points
- The XVIe Assembly of Francophone NGOs aims to generate concrete recommendations on peace, territorial resilience, and shared prosperity to be presented at the XXth Francophonie Summit.
