On the occasion of the second edition of European Climate Diplomacy Day, Laurent Fabius will receive, at the Quai d’Orsay, more than 50 European ambassadors and diplomats, who will travel there from the Champs Élysées by bicycle. By doing so, they will demonstrate their commitment to ensuring the success of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference and their support for Laurent Fabius, COP21 President.

In almost 60 countries on five continents, French diplomats will participate together with their British, German and EU colleagues in events aimed at raising awareness among the general public and policymakers.

Televised interviews, round tables, exhibitions, screenings, training workshops for journalists, the awarding of climate scholarships and even stage plays will facilitate exchanges with the public and highlight the practical measures already undertaken to reduce carbon emissions.

Education - Meeting between Annick Girardin and Alice Albright, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education (Paris, June 17, 2015)

Annick Girardin, Minister of State for Development and Francophonie, will today receive Alice Albright, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education. This partnership brings together 60 developing countries and more than 30 regional and international bilateral organizations, as well as development banks, businesses, teachers and civil society representatives.

Ms. Girardin and Ms. Albright, will discuss the Global Partnership for Education and its efforts to ensure that quality education is available to all children – girls and boys – especially the most disadvantaged and vulnerable. They will also discuss the efforts under way to seek innovative funding for education in fragile countries and countries in crisis.

Education is a priority area for France as far as development assistance is concerned. France allocates €1.5 billion per year to education.

Environment – Climate - World Day to Combat Desertification (June 17, 2015)

On World Day to Combat Desertification, dedicated this year to the theme “Attainment of food security for all through sustainable food systems,” France reaffirms its commitment to sustainable land management.

The challenge is twofold: feeding humanity while preserving the environment. France allocates €200 million per year to concrete projects to combat desertification and land degradation, mainly through the French Development Agency. The International Civil Society Forum, “Désertif'Action 2015,” recently brought together in Montpelier 300 participants from 60 countries.

Combating desertification will help to improve capacity to absorb carbon, adapt to climate change and stabilize populations in areas that remain habitable. It’s key to the success of COP21 and the reason behind the “4 pour 1000” (4 per thousand) initiative backed by France, which combines the restoration of degraded land, food production and the fight against climate disruption and is aimed at increasing soil organic matter levels by 4 parts per thousand per year.

Strategic affairs - 90th anniversary of the Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare (1925-2015)

Today we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare. France is a depository of this instrument, which is the primary text aimed at prohibiting the use of these weapons even in times of war.

The universalization of this protocol, which is supplemented by the Biological Weapons Convention, is one of our objectives. We call on the states that are not yet party to these agreements to adhere to them as soon as possible.

France welcomes the decision by Andorra, Burma (Myanmar) and Mauritania to join the Biological Weapons Convention. Only 14 states around the world have not yet signed it, while 9 have signed it but have not yet ratified it.

Egypt

How is France responding to Mohammed Morsi’s death sentence, which was upheld by Egyptian authorities? What measures does France plan to take with respect to Egypt in the context of its global campaign against the death penalty?

France reiterates its opposition to the death penalty, everywhere and in all circumstances.

We note that the decisions that were just announced by the criminal court in Cairo are subject to appeal.

Ukraine

Can you confirm that a ministerial meeting in the Normandy format will be held this Tuesday in Paris?

How do you view the results of the working groups’ meetings in Minsk? What impact will these results have on future Normandy format meetings?

A ministerial meeting in the Normandy format is scheduled for June 23.

Mr. Fabius will meet with his German, Russian and Ukrainian counterparts to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine. Among other things, they will review the implementation of the measures agreed on in Minsk on February 12.

We reiterate our commitment to the working groups, which must swiftly achieve results on political, security, economic and humanitarian issues.