France joins the Coalition

On November 4, Mr. Alain Joyandet, Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Francophonie, signed an accord confirming France´s membership in the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition. In a high-profile ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Mr. Joyandet joined Coalition Director, John Skibiak, in highlighting the importance of France´s participation in the Coalition, its commitment to furthering the achievement of MDG 5, and its contribution to improving the sexual and reproductive health of women in low- and middle-income countries.

Some 30 guests attended the event, including speakers Professor Etienne-Emile Beaulieu, former President of the French Academy of Sciences and renowned developer of RU486; Dr. Jean-Michel Dubernard, pioneering surgeon who performed the world's first successful hand transplant in 1998; and Dr. Nabiha Gueddana, former Minister and General Director of the Tunisian National Population and Family Office.

France now becomes the 74th member of the Coalition and the seventh country, along with the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Denmark. More information on France´s entry into the Coalition is available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. To access the site, click here. 

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