On a working visit to Gabon as part of the 35th Congress of the International Conference of Bars and Law Societies (ICBS), which is being held from 1 to 3 December in Libreville, the OIF Secretary General reviewed, during her meeting with Sbihi, the means to further promote the Francophonie and the values it embodies, and to raise to a higher level the cooperation between member countries in several areas.

Speaking on this occasion, the Moroccan diplomat, in his capacity as president of the GAF, welcomed the commitment of the Gabonese authorities to promote and defend the values of the Francophonie, and the fruitful cooperation between "our respective countries and the Gabonese Republic."

He stressed that "the COVID-19 has not succeeded in distancing us from the Francophonie and that your presence gives us confidence and hope that we must continue to work, while respecting the barriers".

Sbihi, in this sense, highlighted the initiative to create, last June, the GAF in Gabon, noting that a set of activities and actions, aimed at promoting the values of the Francophonie is planned, in close collaboration with the competent Gabonese authorities, the Representation of the OIF in Central Africa and the French Institute in Libreville.

To this end, "we plan to program a series of events related to culture, arts and education and the French language," he said.

For her part, the Secretary General of the OIF thanked Sbihi for organizing this meeting, saying she was convinced that such initiatives intend to carry high the values of the Francophonie and establish the valuable relays of the action of this organization.

She emphasized that her action, since taking office, is to focus on major missions that bring added value to the OIF, including the French language, "this link that unites so many countries and peoples in their diversity", the political mandate for rights and freedoms, democracy and the rule of law.

It is also about cooperation in solidarity around the major issues of the moment, namely digital, gender equality, education or the economy.

The meeting was attended by the Gabonese Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Culture and Arts, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, Technology Transfer, National Education, in charge of Civic Training, the Ambassadors members of the GAF and the Representative of the OIF for Central Africa.