Kuwait’s accession to Francophonie will be a major milestone, says French ambassador

• There are about 500,000 Kuwaitis interested in the French language, either speaking it or intrigued by French culture and its nuances.

• The 2024 Francophone summit in Villers-Cotterêts, France, on October 4-5, will feature over a hundred delegations from member states and governments of the International Francophonie.

H.E. Claire Le Flecher, the French Ambassador to the country, mentioned that Kuwait may take part in the upcoming Francophonie Summit scheduled for October in France. She noted Kuwait’s expressed interest in joining the Francophonie but highlighted that an official application has not yet been submitted.

In her response to journalists’ questions during the press conference held before the reception marking the end of Francophonie Month in Kuwait, ambassador Le Flecher noted the presence of His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad and Levon Amirjanian, representative of the International Organization of Francophonie in the Middle East, along with a group of sheikhs, ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, and international organizations accredited to the country.

The ambassador emphasized that the application must be submitted before the beginning of this summer, mentioning that there are about 500,000 Kuwaitis interested in the French language, either speaking it or intrigued by French culture and its nuances.

Her Excellency also highlighted that His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad has been a steadfast supporter of Francophonie since the 1980s. In 2021, he was elected as the honorary president of the Council for the Promotion of Francophonie in Kuwait and remains a key advocate for the French language in the country.

Ambassador Le Flecher added, “Although Kuwait is not a member of the Francophonie, it is an active participant in all matters related to the organization,” praising the outcomes of the Jerba Summit in Tunisia in 2022.

Regarding the added value of Kuwait’s accession to the organization, she said, “I believe that Kuwait’s accession to the Francophonie will be a significant achievement.”

Regarding the Francophonie’s lack of comment on human rights violations in Gaza, she said, “The organization is not political; it focuses on culture and promoting the French language.”

In her entire speech delivered on the occasion, she explained that the State of Kuwait, a land that loves and speaks the French language, deserves this distinction due to its firm commitment, particularly the commitment of His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, the honorary president of this council and the spiritual father of Francophonie in the State of Kuwait.

The ambassador mentioned that the year 2024 will see the next Francophone summit taking place in Villers-Cotterêts, France, on October 4 and 5 at the International City of the French Language in the Villers-Cotterêtspalace. The summit will involve the participation of over one hundred delegations from member states and governments of the International Francophonie organization, under the theme “Innovation, Creativity, and Implementation in the French Language.”

Ambassador Le Flecher added that the linguistic diversity promoted as a guarantee of democratic and effective pluralism by the International Organization of La Francophonie directly aligns with the international orientations of the State of Kuwait. Kuwait aims to have effective participation in the international community while defending its identity.