Francophone countries seek cooperation to combat climate change

Francophone countries have called for an enhanced cooperation with partners to raise awareness about the importance of fighting climate change.

The Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria and the chairman of informal group of Francophone ambassadors in Nigeria,Yanko Yordanov, made this call in an interview at the celebration of La Francophonie International Day in Abuja.

This year’s celebration focused on managing resources to protect the environment.

Ambassador Yordanov highlighted the initiatives taken by French-speaking countries to promote energy transition, the environment, and sustainable development.

“The environment is a very important theme, and La Francophonie has a lot to say and a lot to do in cooperation with countries like Nigeria, which are equally affected by climate change,” he said.

The Ambassador noted that La Francophonie is an opportunity to promote the French language as a tool for solidarity and cooperation in tackling major challenges like climate change and sustainable development. He emphasized that the success of Francophone countries lies in cooperation with partners, including Nigeria.

The celebration also featured cultural performances, including dance, drama, and song presentations by schools, as well as art displays. La Francophonie aims to promote the French language, cultural and linguistic diversity, peace, democracy, and human rights.

Ambassador Yordanov expressed pride in the group’s achievements and reiterated their commitment to working with Nigeria in different areas of concern.

“We are very happy and proud to be able to cooperate with Nigeria, sharing the same mission of promoting humanity, democracy, and the rule of law.”

The Ambassador’s call for cooperation highlights the global nature of climate change and the need for collective action to address its impacts. By working together, countries can share knowledge, resources, and expertise to develop effective solutions to this pressing issue.

As chair of the informal group of Francophone ambassadors in Nigeria, Ambassador Yordanov has played a key role in promoting La Francophonie’s mission and values in the country.

His leadership has helped to raise awareness about the importance of cultural exchange, linguistic diversity, and cooperation in addressing global challenges.

Also speaking, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the French Embassy in Nigeria, Jean-François Hasperue, stressed the importance of protecting the environment.

Hasperue gave assurance that the Francophonie community is committed to tackling the effects of human activities on the environment, including deforestation and degradation.

He said, “Unfortunately, deforestation and the effect on the environment of too many people at the same place, at the same time, having too many economic activities that could degrade the environment.

“We have to tackle this to make sure that all our activities have less effect on the environment.”

Hasperue also emphasized that the Francophonie community has been engaged in various projects to protect the environment, including research initiatives with universities and key research centers.

“This is why the Francophonie has been very much engaged for many years now to move forward and to protect environment through many small projects that we are having, for example, in Abuja with some key research centres or universities in Abuja to make sure that we can progress on that field,” he noted.

The celebration of International Francophonie Day is an opportunity for the community to come together and promote their shared values, including the protection of the environment.

Hasperue described the day as a celebration of the community’s common objectives and their commitment to moving forward towards a better world.

“It’s a very important day for us and for all the Francophone countries… to celebrate our values, but to celebrate the happiness of being together and to have a common objective, to move forward toward a better world, and that’s what is Francophonie,” he said.