Mr. President of the Conference,
Distinguished Heads of State, Government and delegations
Mr. Secretary General of the International Organization of the Francophonie,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have long known that the world is not fair. We also know that it will take a lot of time and effort to overcome poverty and exclusion.
We also know that the world is dangerous and that the dangers can occur at any time: civil or foreign wars, ethnic and religious rivalries, factional oppression on populations that whatnot.
We can face these challenges, wonder what our organization can do more.
One can easily answer that it is already heavily involved in the preservation of peace, the promotion of democracy and human rights. We will discuss its role in the defense of solidarity between nations and support for education and training. That's right. And at this point of my remarks, I would like to warmly congratulate my brother and friend, President Abdou Diouf for all the outstanding work he has done.
I just want to say that, recently, we face new challenges.
The first concerns our security. Until then, we were dealing with the consequences of local conflicts rarely exceeded the limits of the sub-region. Today we are threatened by destabilization of global business. On the offensive in Iraq and Syria, it has spread its tentacles in recent years to Mali and to all of the Sahel.
Through terrorism, it also places its threat throughout the world.
For example, I allow myself to call attention to the situation of my country is currently under attack by Boko Haram. I remark in passing that all immediate neighbors of Nigeria are members of the OIF and are concerned such as Cameroon.
Faced with a common enemy that challenges all the values ??that we hold, solidarity must play full. Recent history teaches us that with this kind of opponent there can be no compromise.
Do I need to say that we remain committed supporters of peace. We will not give the "dialogue of cultures" dear to President Senghor, the illustrious champion of universal human brotherhood.
Second, the solidarity that unites us, must also continue to practice in the field of development. In fact, most of our countries are still developing. We know that the objectives of Millennium Development maturing next year will not be achieved. Will be taken over by the agenda post 2015. It is imperative that the backlog will be caught. Only in this way will it be possible to reduce poverty, melting pot are forged extremism and rebellion.
But poverty is also the place where pandemics are developing, including Ebola. The latter, you know, wreaks havoc in some brotherly countries. Here again the urgency of solidarity is needed at all.
The new strategic framework of the OIF is to this end a valuable asset. Advocating for a more active solidarity towards LDCs, our organization will help reduce inequalities between North and South.
I would add that if women and youth, who make up three-quarters of people in most of our countries are getting as is done OIF equal access to health, education and training, we will have made a decisive step towards the progress of our societies. It is therefore pleased that we were chosen as the theme for our 15th summit: "Women and youth Francophonie: Peace vectors development actors." In this regard, the emphasis we put on the aspirations of women and young people will take the form of concrete programs and projects. In this way, we will give women and young people the means to fight against poverty, hunger and disease. This "new frontier" is in accordance with the humanist tradition of our Organization.
In addition to these core tasks, although others require our participation. Respect for the environment is not the slightest.
The countries of Central Africa have the feeling that preserving the rainforest of the Congo Basin, they contribute significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gases. That is why they are pleased that China and the United States appear to move in this direction. This bodes well for the success of the Paris Climate Conference next year.
The Lake Chad situation is another source of concern for us. We assist almost powerless to his tragic gradual disappearance. In addition, it poses security challenges and socio-political. The Paris Conference could work towards the establishment of a bailout of Lake Chad. This is a suggestion.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our organization has many assets to be among the forefront of the international community. To continue to be a force of proposal, it will remain true to its values ??and be bold to adapt to a changing world.
In these days when heavy threats barbarism shows its ugly face again, OIF to the obligation to show that the fate of humanity should lead to a future of brotherhood and tolerance, not hatred violence.
It remains for me to thank President Macky Sall, the authorities and people of Senegal for their warm welcome and fraternal hospitality on the occasion of the 15th summit of the International Francophone Organisation.
Thank you for your attention.
