In Message to Thirty-Eighth Session of Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie,

Secretary-General Hails Organization’s Commitment to Democracy, Development

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, translated from the original French, to the thirty-eighth session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, held 8-12 July, in Brussels:

I congratulate the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie, which is celebrating this year its forty-fifth anniversary.  Throughout these years, the Assembly has shown a strong commitment to the promotion and defence of crucial principles to the United Nations, including diversity, dialogue and multilingualism.  Our two organizations are also united in the pursuit of common goals, such as conflict prevention and resolution, as well as fostering development and democracy.

Your work has never been as important as today.  The waves of social unrest which are currently shaking the world demonstrate a strong desire to strengthen the rule of law, democratic governance and social justice.  States will only be able to respond to this popular outcry if they are equipped with strong, independent and representative institutions.  From this perspective, participation in political life and the adequate representation of all segments of society, including youth and women, constitute a major issue.

The Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie is more than a vehicle for promoting democracy:  it is a form of it.  Therefore, I wish you fruitful deliberations.

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For information media • not an official record