PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Rwandan President Paul Kagame arrives in Armenia for OIF summit
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - Rwandan President Paul Kagame, on Wednesday arrived in Yerevan, Armenia, to participate in the 17th Francophonie Heads of State Summit which is scheduled from 11-12 October in the Eastern European nation, an official source confirmed to PANA in Kigali.
The International Organisation of "La Francophonie" (OIF) which comprises of 84 member states and governments (58 members and 26 observers), represents one of the biggest linguistic zones in the world and its members share more than just a common language.
It is expected that on the sideline of the summit, Head of States will elect a new Secretary General of the OIF as Rwandese Louise Mushikiwabo is gunning for the office of Secretary-General against incumbent, Michaelle Jean of Canada.
Official statistics indicate that economic francophone accounts for approximately 7% of global GDP and 12% of global exports. It also encompasses 11% of agricultural land worldwide, 6% of the global reserves of energy resources and 14% of incoming foreign direct investment.
During her campaign, Mushikiwabo reiterated the four pledges she made, including efforts to increase the influence of the French language, tackling youth unemployment, increasing the relevance of la Francophonie on a global stage and exchange of good practices.
Experts noted that compared to Jean of Canada, Mushikiwabo, as someone who got support from a large number of Francophone family on the African continent, enjoys certain advantages in garnering support from other OIF member countries who have not yet expressed their position in the upcoming election.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, are among Heads of states expected to participate in the summit.
-0- PANA TWA/VAO 10Oct2018
The International Organisation of "La Francophonie" (OIF) which comprises of 84 member states and governments (58 members and 26 observers), represents one of the biggest linguistic zones in the world and its members share more than just a common language.
It is expected that on the sideline of the summit, Head of States will elect a new Secretary General of the OIF as Rwandese Louise Mushikiwabo is gunning for the office of Secretary-General against incumbent, Michaelle Jean of Canada.
Official statistics indicate that economic francophone accounts for approximately 7% of global GDP and 12% of global exports. It also encompasses 11% of agricultural land worldwide, 6% of the global reserves of energy resources and 14% of incoming foreign direct investment.
During her campaign, Mushikiwabo reiterated the four pledges she made, including efforts to increase the influence of the French language, tackling youth unemployment, increasing the relevance of la Francophonie on a global stage and exchange of good practices.
Experts noted that compared to Jean of Canada, Mushikiwabo, as someone who got support from a large number of Francophone family on the African continent, enjoys certain advantages in garnering support from other OIF member countries who have not yet expressed their position in the upcoming election.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, are among Heads of states expected to participate in the summit.
-0- PANA TWA/VAO 10Oct2018
