Press release

CP/SG/JT/15

Paris, December 7, 2015

The General Secretary of La Francophonie, Mrs. Michaëlle Jean, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator, Mrs. Helen Clark, signed this Monday, December 7, 2015, a cooperation framework agreement between the two institutions. Signed in the headquarters of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) in Paris, this agreement aims to strengthen and develop the cooperation between the two organizations, after the first agreement signed in 1996.

«I am pleased that our organizations work together more closely for economic development, peace and democracy, and for capacity-building in Southern countries. This agreement also helps development governance, youth, innovation and citizen participation», said Michaëlle Jean on this occasion.

For Helen Clark, «the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals by the UN, in September, and the future Paris agreement on climate provide a real opportunity to establish a closer cooperation with the OIF, in order to jointly meet global challenges, such as fighting climate change and preserving peace, and offer better opportunities for women and young people in the Francophone area.

Over the last 20 years, UNDP and OIF have developed many joint actions for peace and democracy. This new agreement will enhance this existing cooperation, promoting the implementation of new joint actions for sustainable development and climate change fight, economic development, South-South cooperation support as well as support to civil society.

This new cooperation agreement also aims to improve the effectiveness of their programs, particularly in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Job creation and entrepreneurship, as well as inclusive, sustainable and resilient development are also included among the priorities of action of the two institutions.

The OIF comprises 57 member states and governments and 23 observer countries.

Press contact

OIF: Louis Hamann, Spokesperson and communications advisor louis.hamann@francophonie.org ; Tel. +33 (0)6 14 49 81 90
PNUD: Alexis Laffitan, Partnerships Specialist, UNDP Office in Geneva alexis.laffittan@undp.org ; Tel. +41 (0)7 89 30 48 44

SOURCE: http://www.francophonie.org