Topics for the International Organization of la Francophonie (IEPF) umbrella organization can cover any issue.

To focus the organization's energy related activities, it established the Institut de l'énergie et de l'environement de la Francophonie subsidiary in 1988 in Québec.

On the environmental side, Canada is a leader in numerous forms of energy production as well as in carbon capture and sequestration. Provinces individually encourage energy development that controls carbon footprint, and they encourage the use of hydroelectric, solar and wind power to satisfy the electrical needs of their citizens. Sophisticated public transportation systems in several larger cities help limit the use of automobile traffic and pollution.

Major oil- and gas-producing nations in which French is the official language – one of the official languages – include Canada, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Vietnam. In addition, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Mauritania, Säo Tomé and Principe, and Tunisia produce oil, and other French-speaking countries, such as Senegal and Seychelles, are trying to establish energy industries.

Nathalie Normandeau, deputy premier, minister of natural resources and wildlife and minister responsible for the northern plan government of Québec, Québec's representative to the special meeting, commenting on this first meeting of the ministers of the Francophonie at the WEC, said the consultation meeting was proposed in Québec in 2008 and the WEC was chosen as the ideal forum.

"Québec, in cooperation with the Canadian government, decided to use this event to stimulate discussion among members of the Francophonie and thus make the Montréal meeting an unforgettable event in the field of sustainable energies," Normandeau said. "Owing to their political, economic, social and cultural weight, the Francophonie countries and governments can play a role in developing an international movement dedicated to achieving global sustainable energy."

The meeting, she added, will enable Francophonie ministers to present views and policies in a forum representing the entire energy sector, to share information on best energy practices in their counties and help them strengthen ties with the IEPF and give the Francophonie a stronger voice in the WEC.

The meeting also gives the ministers the opportunity to take an in-depth look at energy issues specific to the Francophonie, and discuss them openly and constructively.

International Organization of la Francophonie discussions will parallel the daily themes of the WEC: Accessibility, Availability, Acceptability and Accountability.

What challenges do Québec and the other industrialized countries face visà-vis the less developed countries?

The commitment made by the government of Québec to international development and solidarity reflects a desire on the part of Québecers to contribute to the work of the international community.

Through this work, Québec endeavors to respond, to the best of its abilities, to the challenges of poverty, social and economic exclusion and inequality in a world where countries are increasingly interdependent.

Québec's initiatives in the area of international solidarity are intended to achieve social and economic development through respect for the universal values shared by Québec society, such as mutual assistance, freedom, democracy, justice and equality, while promoting the emergence of a more harmonious, accountable world.

Working in conjunction with international cooperation agencies and Québec institutions, the Québec government intervenes primarily in areas in which it has established expertise: human resources training and development of capacity for governance.

Why is it important for Québec to hold the first meeting of Ministers of the Francophonie during the World Energy Congress?

The idea of consultation between the Francophonie Energy Ministers was put forward in Québec in 2008, during the 12th Francophonie Summit. It turned out that the World Energy Congress was the ideal forum for this initial consultation. Because it brings together an impressive array of experts from around the world, the World Energy Congress affords us an opportunity to discuss issues that impact the Francophonie directly. Québec, in cooperation with the Canadian government, decided to use this event to stimulate discussion among members of the Francophonie, and thus make the Montréal meeting an unforgettable event in the field of sustainable energies.

What are the objectives of the meeting?

The consultation has three objectives:

• To enable Francophonie ministers to present their views and energy policies in the context of a forum representing the entire energy sector;

• To enable ministers to share information on best practices in energy in their respective countries;

• To help strengthen ties between the Institut de l'Énergie et de l’Environnement de la Francophonie, a subordinate body of the International Organization of the Francophonie, and the World Energy Council, as well as to give the Francophonie a voice within the WEC.

The Francophonie Energy Ministers meeting is an opportunity to look more deeply into energy issues that are specific to the Francophonie and discuss them openly and constructively. It will also identify avenues to be explored so countries can better deal with the challenges they face.