UN – Conversation between Catherine Colonna and World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain (September 17, 2023)

On September 17, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna and World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain met in New York to discuss solutions to the global food crisis, which has been heavily impacted by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, and particularly by the systematic destruction of its grain silos.

The minister noted that our contribution to the WFP doubled between 2021 and 2022.
She announced an additional contribution of €40 million in support of the Grain from Ukraine initiative to facilitate the shipment of grain to Nigeria and Sudan, additional aid to the Ukrainian food system, and the restructuring of the WPF’s regional reserves.

On October 18 and 19, France will host the first international meeting of the School Meals Coalition, which will also receive funds from this latest contribution. In December, Paris will also host the replenishment consultation of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

France is more committed than ever to the fight against food insecurity and malnutrition. We will take concrete action to support those in need in the face of those who are destroying food silos and threatening the trade routes that make grain available to importing countries.

Anna Politkovskaya-Arman Soldin Prize for Courage in Journalism – call for applications

During the Ambassadors’ Conference on August 29, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna announced that the first Prix Anna Politkovskaïa – Arman Soldin du courage journalistique (Anna Politkovskaya-Arman Soldin Prize for Courage in Journalism) would be awarded this November. Established jointly by the Ministry and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov, co-founder of the Russian opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta, this prize will honor the work of reporters and photojournalists who are continuing their vital mission of spreading free, reliable, quality information in crisis and conflict areas.

The Politkovskaya-Soldin Prize pays tribute to two emblematic figures who embodied courage in journalism and who were killed in the course of their work. Journalist Anna Politkovskaya was working in Russia for Novaya Gazeta, whose investigations into corruption, attacks on human rights and the war in Chechnya cost the lives of six of its reporters. Despite the threats she received, she never stopped working to inform the public. Despite the risk to his life, AFP reporter and photojournalist Arman Soldin helped inform the entire world about the reality of the Russian aggression in Ukraine through the photos he took on the front lines of the conflict, starting in February 2022.

The Politkovskaya-Soldin Prize will be awarded annually in early November on the UN International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, created at France’s initiative in 2013.

Journalists who would like to apply can go to https://www.fdip.fr/PrixJournalisme to submit their applications.

Libya – France assisting victims of the devasting floods (September 18, 2023)

In the wake of the devastating floods in northeastern Libya on September 10 caused by Hurricane Daniel, France immediately mobilized its efforts in response to the Libyan authorities’ request for help for the victims of this disaster.

Our top priority is working alongside Libyan emergency services to provide medical and surgical assistance to the injured. In coordination with the Crisis and Support Center of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French Civil Protection Service set up a field hospital in Derna and received its first patients on September 17. More than 50 rescue workers and first responders from the Civil Protection Service are working at this unit, which has an operating theater and hospital beds that can accommodate up to 100 patients per day.

France will also allocate €4 million to the UN for emergency aid and reconstruction in Libya. France is in touch with NGOs on the ground to assess their needs.

France expresses its absolute solidarity with the Libyan people at this difficult time and is standing by to respond to any additional requests from the Libyan authorities.