WA | Francophone Africa in Western Australia Forum

On September 5th, 2024, the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI) Western Australia Chapter, in collaboration with Clifford Chance and with the support of Alliance Française de Perth and Paydirt, hosted an engaging Forum at the Anzac Club. The morning commenced with a warm welcome featuring tea, coffee, and pastries, providing ample opportunity for networking before the discussions began.

The event centred on the expanding economic and cultural ties between Western Australia and Francophone Africa, aiming to foster partnerships and facilitate an open dialogue regarding Australian business activities in these regions. This gathering highlighted the robust triangular cooperation between France, Australia, and African regions, enhancing mutual understanding and opportunities.

We were honoured to host Her Excellency Wassane Zailachi, Ambassador of Morocco to Australia, who delivered a keynote address shedding light on Morocco's pivotal role in advancing economic collaboration between Francophone Africa and Australia. Her Excellency provided invaluable insights into Morocco's economic structure and aspirations to establish itself as a premier mining destination and a key trade partner.

Our sincere appreciation extends to our distinguished speakers for their enriching contributions:

• Lucile Bourguet, Manager of Carbon and Climate Change at Fortescue
• Elliot Luke, Specialist in International Arbitration at Clifford Chance
• Mamadou Coulibaly, Associate Lawyer at Satis Partners

Their expertise on ESG principles, the development of green electricity production, and the intricate legal frameworks supporting investment protection in Francophone Africa was particularly enlightening, and their good humour brightened the day despite the bad weather.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all attendees and supporters for making the morning a memorable success. We are especially grateful to everyone for their insightful questions during the Q&A session, which added great value to the discussions. We look forward to your continued engagement at future FACCI gatherings as we strive to nurture growth and connection within our vibrant community.