SUMMARY

The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, visited New Orleans on Friday, December 2, as part of his state visit to the United States, the first organized since the election of US President Joe Biden. This visit highlighted the strong and historic ties between Louisiana and France, but it also allowed the launch of new partnerships in the fight against climate change and the promotion of the French language. As they got off the plane, the President and his wife were welcomed by the Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards, his wife Donna Edwards, the Ambassador of France Mr. Philippe Etienne and the Consul General of France in Louisiana Mrs. Nathalie Beras. They were given the opportunity to listen to a typical New Orleans Brass Band and to admire a traditional dance by a Black Indian from the city. They began their visit in Jackson Square, in front of the Cabildo, where they were greeted by the Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, Mr. Billy Nungesser and the Mayor of New Orleans, Mrs. LaToya Cantrell. The President of the Republic then walked down Royal Street, accompanied by Mrs. Cantrell, the former Mayor of the city, now Special Advisor to the President of the United States, Mr. Mitch Landrieu and the Director of the Historic New Orleans Collection, Mr. Daniel Hammer. The walk, interspersed with a crowd of enthusiastic Louisianans and French, ended at the Historic New Orleans Collection, where the President of the Republic was greeted by the Governor of Louisiana. During this meeting, the President of the Republic addressed the key issues of climate change and energy transition. This was followed by the signing of a declaration of intent that formalizes the creation of a position for a French international technical expert specializing in the energy transition, integrated into the Governor’s Climate Task Force. This document was signed by the Governor of Louisiana and the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Catherine Colonna, in the presence of the President of the Republic. The President then met with representatives of companies involved in the field of energy transition and climate, in the presence of the French Ambassador to the United States and the French Consul General in Louisiana. At the New Orleans Museum of Art, in the presence of many local actors of the French-speaking world in Louisiana, the President of the Republic gave a speech underlining his attachment to Louisiana and its rich French-speaking tradition and recalled the actions taken to promote the French language throughout the world. He then announced the creation of a new fund to support the learning of French in American schools: "French for All."