Paris Peace Forum - Statement by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs spokesperson (11.11.22)

As part of the Paris Peace Forum, Mme Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is participating in an event centring on the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) initiative, in the presence of its co-chair Mark Thompson, former BBC director-general and former CEO of the New York Times Company. The Fund, created last year at the Paris [Peace] Forum, is dedicated to supporting independent media in difficulty, particularly in developing countries, and backing initiatives aimed at bringing about change in the economic environment in which independent media operate. The Minister announced France’s financial support for activities of the Fund, which decided to set itself up in Paris. This choice of France testifies to the commitment of our country and its diplomacy to press freedom and media independence. The IFPIM is fully consistent with French diplomacy’s initiatives for a free, democratic and trusted global information space. The partnership between France and the IFPIM is also built on the expertise French public operators and media will be able to bring to the Fund’s activities, particularly in the Francophone world.

As a follow-up to the “Save Crops Operation” initiative, launched by President Macron at the UN General Assembly on 23 September 2022, the Minister will also convene at a closed working session European and African public and private stakeholders, and the international organizations involved in responding to the food crisis caused by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. The Minister will announce a contribution of €7.5 million for World Food Programme (WFP) operations to deliver fertilizer to Africa.

On the sidelines of the Forum, the Minister will also meet some of her counterparts present in Paris.

Mme Laurence Boone, Minister of State for Europe, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is herself participating in a session on energy security in Europe alongside the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Ms Anniken Huitfeldt. She will highlight the importance of an effective European response to the energy crisis which protects our businesses and our fellow citizens, and is ambitious with regard to our climate targets. The discussion will continue during a bilateral meeting with Ms Huitfeldt.

The Minister of State also supports the launch of International Mobilization for the Observatory on Information and Democracy, a tool intended to develop a shared vision on the issues at the heart of the way our democracies function. Mme Boone will talk about these subjects with M. Christophe Deloire, Director General of Reporters Without Borders and Chair of the Forum on Information and Democracy.

As part of the Forum, Mme Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is participating in a session on global health and regionalization issues in international health cooperation. She will recall France and the European Union’s commitment to support the strengthening of Africa’s health sovereignty, which is particularly in line with the commitments made at the EU-AU summit in February 2022. The Minister of State is also organizing a dinner bringing together global health figures on pandemic prevention, response and preparedness.