ANTANANARIVO – Leaders of more than 80 countries, among them President Trần Đại Quang of Việt Nam, wrapped up the 16th Francophone Summit yesterday in the capital of Madagascar, calling for resolution of disputes by peaceful means.

Participants at the two-day summit ratified the Antananarivo Statement and 13 resolutions, and discussed the orientation of the community in the fields of peace, security, anti-terrorism, language diversity and culture, economic cooperation, sustainable development, among others.

During the two-day event, participants discussed measures to promote equal growth and responsible development, thus contributing to peace and stability among the member nations, as well as the world.

They discussed implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and commitments of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, suggested specific measures to accelerate implementation of the Strategic Framework of the Francophonie for 2015–2022, the Francophone’s youth strategy, and the Francophonie Economic Strategy, with a focus on empowering women and youths.

The leaders suggested the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) strengthen its support to prevent and settle conflicts, reinforce peace and promote compliance with international law, including the principles of solving disputes by peaceful measures.

They also expressed their concerns over the situation in the East Sea and noted recent regional progress, calling for restraint on the part of concerned parties and the settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They also welcomed efforts to maintain peace, security, stability and freedom and safety of navigation and aviation in the region.

The Summit admitted New Caledonia (France) as an associate member and Argentina, the Republic of Korea, and Ontario (Canada) as observers, raising its total number of members and observers from 80 to 84. — VNS