The OIF and the International Telecommunication Union sign a Joint Declaration of Cooperation
The Secretary-General of La Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo, and the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, signed a Joint Declaration of Cooperation on 3 April 2023 in Paris to strengthen the partnership between the two organizations.
« This renewed cooperation around areas of common interest related to current challenges corresponds to the expectations of our populations. These are concrete and measurable actions,” said Louise Mushikiwabo at the signing. “This joint commitment between the OIF and ITU aims to give new impetus to our cooperation in favour of the economic and social development of the Member States of La Francophonie, particularly developing and least developed countries,” she added.
For her part, Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin stressed that the Joint Declaration of Cooperation between ITU and OIF comes at a time when digital technology is becoming increasingly important on the international scene, and that it is a tool that must help accelerate connectivity and sustainable digital transformation within and beyond the French-speaking world.
The actions envisaged through this Declaration aim to contribute to connectivity for all and sustainable digital transformation. The areas of collaboration taken into account relate to advocacy for the opening up of digital technology and respect for multilingualism in the context of international consultations and work in this field. They also focus on accelerating digital transformation in the French-speaking world, promoting Francophone expertise, and appropriating digital issues, particularly by young people and women. It also aims to support capacity building and the exchange of good practices, as well as the development of joint projects for French-speaking populations and schools and universities.
This Joint Declaration of Cooperation constitutes the political reference framework for the partnership between the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The OIF has been a member of the three ITU sectors (radiocommunications, standardization, development) since August 2021. The OIF has 88 States and governments: 54 members, 7 associate members and 27 observers
