At the reception, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Tanzania Didier Chassot delivered a welcome speech expressing his appreciation to guests for joining the “Communauté francophone” in Tanzania in celebrating this special occasion, and highlighted the role of La Francophonie in promoting cultural and linguistic diversity.

The event was graced by the Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports Mr. Gerson Msigwa, members of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF), diplomats, French teachers and students, cultural practitioners and other distinguished guests and friends of the Embassy.

Thirteen diplomatic missions in Tanzania (Belgium, Burundi, Canada, Comoros, Egypt, France, Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland and Vietnam) who are members of the IOF are celebrating Francophonie this year again with the objective of promoting the French language in its linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as the common values of La Francophonie – Democracy, Peace, Human Rights, Prosperity and Gender Equality most notably. The celebrations include a series of events in Dar es Salaam, from movie screenings and live music to an exhibition and a football tournament.

Established in 1970, the IOF is a multilateral body that brings together 88 states and governments that use French as a medium of cooperation. It is dedicated to promoting the French language, cultural and linguistic diversity, strengthening democracy and human rights, and fostering sustainable development. Switzerland works within the IOF to share its experience as a multilingual French-speaking country, as well as its culture of promoting peace and democracy.

Switzerland has been a member of the IOF since 1996 and is now its third-largest contributor. Switzerland's main areas of action within la Francophonie concern democracy, peace and human rights, the promotion of International Geneva's digital ecosystem, and support for cultural and linguistic plurality.