On Thursday, 11 October 2018, H.S.H. Prince Albert II took part in the 17th Summit of Francophone Countries organised by the International Organisation of Francophone Countries (OIF) in Yerevan (Armenia) the theme of which was "Living together in solidarity, sharing humanist values and respect for diversity: the source of peace and prosperity for the Francophone area".
The Summit took place following the 105th session of the Permanent Council of Francophone Countries (CPF) and the 35th session of the Ministerial Conference of Francophone Countries (CMF) which started on 7 October and which was attended by a Monegasque delegation, including H.E. Mr. Claude Cottalorda, Ambassador of Monaco in France and Mr. Gilles Tonelli, Counsellor-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
Welcomed to the Summit by H.E. Mr. Nikol Pachinian, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and Mme. Michaëlle Jean, Secretary-General of OIF, H.S.H. the Prince spoke to the Summit in the morning during the official opening ceremony; a ceremony during which Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, took the floor, as did Mr. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
On this occasion, the Sovereign Prince recalled the commitments and the essential role of OIF for the benefit of the inhabitants of its members; as well as the involvement and cooperation of Monaco in the Organisation in many areas, including education, youth and women and sustainable development.
In the afternoon, H.S.H. the Prince participated in the work of various delegations in plenary session, like that on the opinion of the Parliamentary Assembly of Francophone Countries on the theme of the Summit.
The Summit ended on Friday, 12 October in the early afternoon with the election of Mme. Louise Mushikiwabo as Secretary-General of OIF, succeeding Mme. Michaëlle Jean in the role.
The Principality of Monaco has been a historic member of the OIF since its inception in 1970 and will host the 36th Ministerial Conference of Francophone Countries in October 2019.
