Importance of the work of the HCCH and the PCA for francophone Africa
On 10 January, representatives from nineteen French-speaking African States, along with a delegate from the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), convened in Brussels for a meeting organised by Belgium, France, and Switzerland.
The agenda focused on exploring the benefits of membership in the HCCH and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). The Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed the gathering, underscoring the pivotal roles these institutions play in fostering legal cooperation and supporting international stability.
The discussions reinforced the HCCH’s commitment to promoting universality and inclusiveness, particularly by expanding membership in Africa. Participants also stressed the importance of enhancing the HCCH’s visibility in the region and ensuring the continued use of the French language to support more inclusive and effective international legal cooperation.