On Thursday 27 February 2025, the French Embassy in Luxembourg hosted a press conference concerning the newly-formed Group of French-speaking Ambassadors in Luxembourg (GAF).

Formed last September during an official session chaired by Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary General of the International Organization of the Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo, it has 90 members (representatives of countries that are full members or observer members of the OIF and accredited to the Grand Duchy), including thirteen stationed in Luxembourg.

In addition to Claire Linières-Counathe (Ambassador of France, President), Alexandrina-Livia Rusu (Ambassador of Romania, Vice-President) and Geneviève Brisson (Delegate General of Quebec, Vice-President), Jean McDonald (Ambassador of Ireland), Giancarlo Paduano-Heller (1st Counselor of the Embassy of Switzerland), and the chargés d’affaires of Hungary, Szabolcs Nemes, and Armenia, were present.

The discussion focused on French, the 5th most spoken language in the world, with 321 million speakers on five continents, the 4th most used language on the Internet, and one of the official languages ​​of the country, the importance of promoting this French language even in French-speaking countries and, at the same time, of promoting multilingualism and cultural diversity. The issue of supporting education, defending democratic values ​​and peace, and even the economic objectives that govern the destiny of the French-speaking world, were also discussed.

In a relaxed atmosphere, all those attending discussed the cultural programme of a French-speaking and multilingual Luxembourg, and to talk about specific events of the Luxembourg GAF. 

This first event will take place on Tuesday 11 March with a conference by academician Barbara Cassin, in dialogue with Thierry Lefevre, Director General of Multilingualism at the Court of Justice of the EU, to discuss the French-speaking world, multilingualism and translation. 

This will be followed on Friday 21 March by a round table organised at the Lenster Lycée on linguistic and cultural issues as well as the political, economic and social issues that shape the French-speaking world. 

The programme will continue with short films (May) and a debate (on female entrepreneurship) in October.