Paris Peace Forum to Launch today in Paris

• 11.11.2018, 11:05
•  Europe,  World

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/

World leaders are gathering in Paris today to participate in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. The US president Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin are among them. 

More than 120 foreign dignitaries representing States that fought in the First World War, European institutions, the United Nations and other international organizations will meet at the Arc de Triomphe at 11 a.m. today. The official website of the MFA of France informs about this.

Participants will then travel to the Grande Halle de la Villette for the opening of the first session of the Paris Peace Forum. In response to the rising tensions in today’s world, the Forum is designed to be the annual meeting for projects, ideas and initiatives which effectively contribute to better international cooperation on key global issues, fairer and more equitable globalization and a more effective and legitimate multilateral system.

The gathering will be inaugurated by heads of state and representatives of more than 80 countries who've been invited to attend the Armistice Centenary commemorations in France, President Emmanuel Macron has announced.

The French leader said it would be inspired by the 1918 promise of 'Never Again', reflecting the desire for an end to war after WW1.

Warning that peace was again in danger, President Macron called for 'concrete proposals'  to drive forward multilateralism and international cooperation. He compared present-day divisions and fears to the nationalism and totalitarianism which had resulted in the Second World War.

The Paris Peace Forum will run from 11-13 November 2018. It aims to bring together a wide range of organisations, from governments and UN agencies, to non-governmental organisations and individual experts. See Mission Centenaire 14-18 to watch President Macron’s address - project proposals are invited by July 30.

Intended to be an annual event, the Forum is part of France’s commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, the ceasefire signed at Compiègne on 11 November 1918 ending the Great War. 

Armistice Day marks the signing of an agreement between allies and Germany at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918 in France. The agreement brought an end to four years of fighting in Europe.