The Dakar summit offered an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate Secretary General Abdou Diouf’s legacy to La Francophonie, in his country of origin, at the end of his third, and final, term.
In the context of its participation in the Dakar summit, Canada emphasized its foreign policy and development priorities:
- maternal, newborn and child health; and
- the promotion of a dynamic Francophonie based on an economic plan.
Canada is committed to working with the developing countries of the Francophonie to strengthen their private sector and improve their business climate in order to foster sustainable economic growth. Economic development is an essential element of solidarity within La Francophonie and one of the main themes of Canada’s international assistance.
Within La Francophonie, Canada continues to:
- promote the French language, peace, security, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and good governance;
- encourage respect for linguistic and cultural diversity;
- help achieve sustainable economic growth and the integration of developing countries of the South into the global economy as well as contribute to fighting poverty; and
- provide international visibility for Canada’s francophone community.
Canada continues to play an active role within the Francophonie and its operating agencies, including the channel TV5 Monde, the university agency of La Francophonie, the Association internationale des maires francophones (international association of Francophone mayors) and Senghor University in Alexandria, Egypt.
Canada has hosted the Summit of La Francophonie three times: first in Québec in 1987, then in Moncton in 1999, and again in Québec in 2008, which marked the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city.
For more information, please visit the website www.international.gc.ca.
