Language selection

Search

Canada-France Action Plan on International Assistance and Sustainable Development

Canada and the French Republic (hereinafter referred to as “France”) commit to strengthen their collaboration and develop joint measures to eradicate poverty and help build a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world. These actions are anchored within the framework established by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, and the Paris Agreement on climate change.

France’s International Strategy on Gender Equality and Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy are well aligned, and illustrate the convergence of our respective approaches towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are at the core of our efforts, and cut across shared priorities, including in the areas of inclusive governance, environment and climate change, inclusive and sustainable growth, peace and security, and human dignity.

In 2016, Canada and France agreed, with the adoption of the Enhanced Cooperation Program, to establish a clear and concrete framework on development cooperation and committed to continuing their close collaboration on matters of mutual interest.

The Canada-France Action Plan on International Assistance and Sustainable Development will help achieve concrete results. By leveraging their abilities, knowledge, resources, complementarity and experience, Canada and France will bring about innovative solutions to complex sustainable development challenges. The Annex to this Action Plan, which lists concrete initiatives for joint implementation on the following themes, will be updated annually in accordance with the domestic law and international commitments of each country respectively:

Objective 1:
Establish a regular and in-depth bilateral dialogue on international assistance issues

Canada and France will establish a regular and in-depth bilateral dialogue between the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (Global Affairs Canada), the Agence Française de Développement and other agencies, ministries and departments, as required. This will enable both countries to share experiences, establish best practices and collaborate on joint sustainable development initiatives. Initial discussions will focus on gender equality, climate and biodiversity, and quality and inclusive education in Francophone African countries. The France‑Canada Development Dialogue will take place once a year.

Canada and France will hold targeted consultations, in particular in preparation for the annual Dialogue and to ensure the implementation of its commitments, in order to strengthen collaboration between experts on issues of common interest. Representatives from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, and the Agence Française de Développement can participate in this Dialogue, which will also be open to interested partner organizations. The annual Dialogue and ad hoc consultations will serve to update, by mutual consent, the Annex of this Action Plan, according to changing priorities and actions taken.

Objective 2:
Promote common positions within international forums

Through bilateral consultations in advance of major international conferences and meetings, Canada and France will strive to advance common positions and international actions related to sustainable development, in particular at the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the G20, the G7 and the Executive Boards of the Multilateral Development Banks of which they are shareholders.

Objective 3:
Identify and implement initiatives to advance common priorities

With a view to increasing the effectiveness of international assistance, working in close collaboration with recipient countries and in accordance with their national priorities, Canada and France will aim to seek complementarity between their respective projects in the same geographical areas or thematic sectors. Canada and France will also work on co-funding opportunities for ongoing projects and activities and/or new projects and development activities.

This Action Plan may be implemented on the date of its signature and may subsequently be amended by mutual consent.

For the Government of Canada
Marie-Claude BIBEAU
Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

For the Government of the French Republic
Jean-Baptiste LEMOYNE
Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Annex

Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls: Canada and France may collaborate to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights, women’s economic empowerment, the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, and increase access to health and nutrition services.

Promote Women’s Economic Empowerment

Opportunities for collaboration:

Advance the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

Opportunities for collaboration:

Improve Health And Nutrition For Women, Children And Adolescents

Opportunities for collaboration:

Promote Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Opportunities for collaboration:

Environment and Climate Change: Canada and France may collaborate to fight climate change through the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Canada-France Climate and Environment Partnership.

Preserve the Environment and Fight Climate Change

Opportunities for collaboration:

Education: Canada and France may collaborate to improve basic education, higher education and vocational training for all, in particular to promote the empowerment of women and girls in developing countries and fragile and conflict-affected states.

Promote Women’s and Girls’ Access to High-Quality Education in Developing Countries and Fragile and Conflict-Affected States

Opportunities for collaboration:

Development Innovation: Canada and France will promote innovation in policy development through new operational models, strategic practices, partnerships, funding sources and mechanisms, technology and behavioural data that will empower and benefit poor populations in developing countries. Their collaboration in development innovation will be used as a way to bring about necessary changes to attain the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Find Innovative Solutions to Development Challenges

Opportunities for collaboration:

Report a problem on this page
Please select all that apply:

Thank you for your help!

You will not receive a reply. For enquiries, please contact us.

Date Modified: