The CREIPAC hosted the large-scale regional event, Asia-Pacific Francophonie Forum – 2023 Edition. The Forum was sponsored by the New Caledonia Government, with the assistance of numerous partners, has come to a close.
The Forum was Organised from Wednesday, October 25, 2023, to Saturday, October 28, 2023 in Nouméa, New Caledonia. It was organised to promote Francophonie and its values in the Asia-Pacific region.
Delegations from Australia, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan, Laos, New Zealand, Vietnam, Singapore, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, and French Polynesia were present.
After a 3-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the objective of the Forum was to set the stage for a renewed synergy in promoting stronger Francophonie cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.
The Forum was centred on dialogue and cultural and linguistic exchanges among the countries and territories attending.
Connections were made, and collaborative projects were initiated or reinforced.
Vietnam, the country of honour this year, highlighted the dynamism of the Vietnamese community in New Caledonia.
This Forum also raised awareness amongst the guests of the fragility of the ecosystem and the need to protect it.
The Forum also included a screening of the film “Nations of Water” by UNC, a conference on the mangroves of New Caledonia led by Cyril Marchand, a professor at UNC, and a workshop on “The Climate Fresco” led by Soizic Fleury.
The Dayu Biik Association and the Centre d’initiation à l’environnement were also present. It also showcased New Caledonian artists such as Vincent C. Gulaan, Florent Moro, and the duo MON CHERI.
As for live performances, Cie Les Incompressibles presented a funny and zany version of “Le malade imaginaire” at the Salon International du Livre Océanien held at CREIPAC on Saturday, October 28.
The French Embassy in New Zealand extended pleasure and thanked all guests for participating.
They also honoured them for their desire to create and recreate connections in this vast Asia-Pacific region and their commitment to Francophonie and its values.
Further, the Embassy also thanked all the partners for supporting the 2023 Asia-Pacific Francophonie Forum.
Reportedly, A traditional welcome was extended to forum participants at the Centre Culturel Tjibaou by the customary authorities of the Drubea Kapone region.
New Caledonian Government Member Yoann Lecourieux, in charge of Francophonie, then officially opened the four-day forum.
Until Saturday, 28 October, Francophonie representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region are gathered to pursue the goal set by the Centre de Rencontre et changes du Pacifique (Creipac) and partners to:
- Co-construct Francophonie relations,
- Open up to French language and culture networks
- Develop opportunities for exchanges in the Asia-Pacific region.
It is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen ties and create new avenues for francophonie collaboration.
This year’s guest of honour is Vietnam. Alongside the Heads of Culture and Cooperation (COCAC) of Australia and Vanuatu, COCAC Eric Soulier of the French Embassy in Wellington presented the Francophonie network of New Zealand.
Several language, education, and cultural projects between France, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and French Polynesia that the French Embassy helped set in motion.
