François Chih Chung Wu
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
March 12, 2025
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Ladies and gentlemen:
Good afternoon. It is a distinct pleasure to welcome Professor Sarr to Taiwan as part of our Mois de la Francophonie activities, in which we are celebrating all things French.
We are delighted to have Professor Sarr here at the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs to share valuable insights on what the future might hold for Africa. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs, I welcome you and all of our guests. I would also like to thank the French Office in Taipei, led by Ambassador Franck Paris, for making Professor Sarr’s visit possible.
Professor Sarr, who teaches at the Department of Romance Studies at Duke University in the United States, is well known for his expertise in African art, cultural heritage, and philosophy. He is an accomplished writer and artist and in 2018 was commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron to research African cultural heritage in France’s national museums.
Over the course of a distinguished career, Professor Sarr has made profound contributions to understanding Africa’s economic development, philosophy, and contemporary identity. He has earned international recognition as a leading authority in these fields.
Ties between France and African nations are long-standing and run deep. With over 170 million French speakers, Africa is home to the world’s largest Francophone population. When I was Taiwan’s representative to France, I worked to strengthen relations with France as well as with Francophone African nations. These efforts led to the resumption of Taiwan’s representation in Côte d’Ivoire in November 2022.
Professor Sarr’s visit to Taiwan coincides with the release of the Chinese-language edition of his book Afrotopia. This work is a visionary call for a 21st-century African philosophy of self-reinvention, and I trust that this new edition will be well received.
Today’s discussions are sure to provide valuable insights and a broader perspective into Africa’s development and future. In closing, I extend my best wishes to Professor Sarr, and I hope that he will have a memorable stay in Taiwan. I also hope you all enjoy today’s discussions. Thank you! Merci!