The ambassador applauded the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) and the Francophone community for their solidarity and firmness in the face of challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change or false information.
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Vietnamese Ambassador to France and Representative of Vietnam to the Francophonie Dinh Toan Thang speaks at the event. |
He stressed that economic cooperation is the centre which receives high priority of the community in order to ensure inclusive development, growth and prosperity.
Thang also welcomed an upcoming visit to Vietnam by a delegation of nearly 100 businesses from Africa, Europe and North America led by OIF Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo scheduled from March 21 to 26, 2022.
Briefing the conference on Vietnam’s experience in fighting distorted information, the diplomat said the country has issued a code of conduct on social networks, consolidated its legal system, developed technical tools and workforce, reformed the communication work and established a coordination mechanism between State agencies and organizations in this regard.
The conference, the first in-person Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie since the pandemic broke out in 2020, focused on declined democracy and security in the Francophone region and the fight against distorted information.
Annadif Saleh, Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, presented a report on escalating uncertainties in Africa over the past time, as well as measures taken by the U.N. to stabilise the situation and promote development in the region.
For false information on social media, the delegates called for joint actions to handle the issue, stressing the role of the media and GAFA (Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon) in the combat.
They also expressed their support for activities of the OIF and other Francophone agencies to fight false information such as educating youths about information verification.
The conference looked into preparations for 18th Francophonie Summit slated for November 19-20 in Tunisia, and approved general regulations on the operation of Francophone agencies.
Source: VNA