Press release
Minister Byrne to represent Ireland at 18th Summit of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, will represent Ireland at the 18th Summit of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (‘OIF’). The OIF summit will take place on 19 and 20 November in Djerba, Tunisia.
During the summit, Minister Byrne will participate in a roundtable discussion on digitalisation with the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović, the President of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, the Minister for Francophone Affairs of Ontario, Caroline Mulroney, the Estonian Minister for Education, Tõnis Lukas, and the Foreign Minister of The Gambia, H.E. Dr. Mamadou Tangara.
Speaking before his departure, Minister Byrne said:
"I look forward to attending the OIF summit on behalf of Ireland. The OIF is an organisation to which we attach particular importance as an observer state since joining in 2018. The values of democracy, respect for human rights and plurality promoted by the OIF very much accord with those values which Ireland and the EU seek to promote internationally.
"During my attendance, I will participate in a round table discussion on digitalisation and the benefits it can bring to the Francophone community. I will also meet with the Secretary-General of the OIF, Louise Mushikiwabo, who Ireland looks forward to welcoming in the coming months."