For the first time since the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) was founded in 1970, Monaco has hosted the Ministerial Conference on 30 and 31 October 2019.
Eighty-eight ministers responsible for relations with the French-speaking world gathered at the Grimaldi Forum to focus particularly on the organisation’s environmental projects. The theme for the conference, “Reconciling Humanity and the Planet: Prospects within the French-Speaking World as the IOF Turns 50”, was suggested by Gilles Tonelli, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in 2018.
During the IOF Ministerial Conference, Monaco presented a draft resolution on safeguarding the oceans and on organising a sustainable tourism event in partnership with the Institut de la Francophonie pour le développement durable (IFDD, La Francophonie Institute for Sustainable Development).
The holding of this Ministerial Conference in the Principality came at a strategic time for the IOF, which recently appointed a new Secretary-General, with Louise Mushikiwabo replacing her Canadian predecessor Michaëlle Jean in January 2019.
Finally, this meeting provided an opportunity to prepare for the Tunis Summit, at which the organisation for promoting the French language, peace, democracy and human rights celebrated its fiftieth anniversary.
Monaco is a founding member of the IOF and French is the country’s official language (Art. 8 of the Constitution).
