President of Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis travels to Malta and Francophonie Summit in Djerba
Bern, 15.11.2022 - President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis will attend the 18th Francophonie Summit in Djerba, Tunisia, on 19–20 November 2022. The summit, to be held under the theme "Connectivity in diversity: digital technology as a vector of development and solidarity in the Francophone space", will be an opportunity for Mr Cassis to highlight International Geneva's pivotal role in digital governance. On 18 November, Mr Cassis will make a stopover in Malta to hold bilateral talks and participate in the Summit on Digital Diplomacy and Governance.
Digital technology and diversity will be the main topics on the agenda of the 88 member states and governments of the International Organisation of la Francophonie (OIF) in Djerba. These topics will allow Switzerland to highlight its strengths and commitment to digital governance, particularly through International Geneva. Switzerland has also made digitalisation one of the four thematic focus areas of its Foreign Policy Strategy 2020–23.
At the Village de la Francophonie on the margins of the summit, Switzerland will showcase the activities of four Geneva-based organisations that are active in the fields of digital governance and capacity building (DiploFoundation), science and innovation (GESDA), health and digital technology (I-DAIR), and education and connectivity (GIGA).
Having twice been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Summit of Heads of State and Government – the highest forum of La Francophonie – is back on the international community's events calendar. The summit, held every other year, sets the strategic direction of the Francophonie and aims to ensure its continued global influence.
Stopover in Malta: second Swiss contribution and Summit on Digital Diplomacy and Governance
On the way to Djerba, Mr Cassis will make a stopover in Malta on 18 November 2022 to meet with Foreign Minister Ian Borg. He will also sign the agreement on the implementation of the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states, through which Switzerland is investing in European security, stability and prosperity. In Malta, Mr Cassis will also participate in the Summit on Digital Diplomacy and Governance, marking the 20th anniversary of the DiploFoundation, a Swiss-Maltese NGO specialising in capacity development in the field of digital governance.
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