Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that he will attend the Ninth Francophonie Summit, taking place in Beirut, Lebanon from October 18-20, 2002. This is the first Summit to be held in the Middle East and its theme will be "Dialogue of Cultures."

"La Francophonie is a valuable forum where Canada can work with other nations to promote understanding and advance global cooperation on democratic and economic development, human rights and cultural diversity," said the Prime Minister. "The Beirut Summit will be an important opportunity to build support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, and the G8 Action Plan for Africa."

Canada was host of the last Francophonie Summit in Moncton, New Brunswick in 1999, which emphasized the key contribution of youth to the future of La Francophonie and to the world in general. As a result of the Moncton Summit, three important conferences were held: in Luxembourg, on women, power and development; in Bamako, Mali, on democracy and human rights; and in Cotonou, Benin, on cultural diversity.

La Francophonie was established in Niamey, Niger, in 1970. Canada is one of the founding members of this extensive network of 55 participating states and governments, representing five continents, using French as a common language.

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