President Faye presides over the opening of the 7th Conference of Senegal’s Ambassadors and Consuls General.

The President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, presided over, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, the opening ceremony of the 7th Conference of Senegal’s Ambassadors and Consuls General. This meeting is being held on April 18 and 19, 2026, at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre (CICAD) in Diamniadio.

Held under the theme “Senegalese diplomacy and the renewal of international cooperation: principles and modes of action,” these proceedings bring together all heads of Senegal’s diplomatic and consular missions. They constitute a major moment in the country’s institutional life.

This conference provides an opportunity to bring together Senegal’s diplomatic and consular community, to assess with clarity the state of the country’s external action, to engage in constructive dialogue with the diplomatic network, and to define the strategic orientations that will guide national foreign policy in the years ahead.

In his opening address, the Head of State recalled that Senegal takes pride in a long-standing and active diplomatic tradition, deeply rooted in Africa and resolutely open to the world. He affirmed his determination to pursue and strengthen this momentum in the service of a diplomacy of sovereignty, results, and anticipation, fully aligned with the national transformation vision carried by his government, notably through the Senegal 2050 agenda.

Dakar, April 18, 2026 – Only the spoken version is authoritative

Mr. President of the National Assembly,

Mr. Prime Minister,

Mr. Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Ministers and Secretaries of State,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Ambassadors, Consuls General and Consuls,

Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the diplomatic corps,

Ladies and Gentlemen, former Ambassadors and Consuls of the diplomatic service,

Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today to preside, for the first time since my election as Head of our country, over the General Conference of Senegal’s Ambassadors, Consuls General and Consuls.

This meeting constitutes, in many respects, a privileged moment in our institutional life. It provides an opportunity to bring together our country’s diplomatic and consular family, to assess with lucidity the state of our external action, to engage in constructive dialogue with you, and to provide guidance that will steer our foreign policy.

In this regard, I would like to extend my congratulations to each and every one of you on your respective appointments as Ambassadors, Consuls General, or Consuls.

As you are aware, our country has recently reached a major milestone in its political history with the advent of the third democratic alternation, which occurred in a context marked by a severe crisis that, for a time, tested national stability.

Far from weakening our State, this situation has, on the contrary, strengthened the vitality of our institutions and the resilience of our democracy.

Senegal takes pride in a long-standing, active diplomatic tradition, deeply rooted in Africa and resolutely open to the world. I intend to continue and strengthen this momentum in order to implement the transformative vision we hold for our country.

It is in this spirit that, upon taking office, I chose to entrust diplomacy to professionals whose expertise and dedication have, over decades, contributed decisively to Senegal’s international standing.

I urge you to fully embrace this tradition of excellence inherited from your predecessors, whose commitment to the service of the State and the nation remains a source of inspiration.

I would like here to pay them a heartfelt tribute and to bow in respect to the memory of those who have recently passed away, notably Ambassadors Massamba Sarré, Henri Arfang Senghor, Youssouph Barro, Saloum Kandé, Papa Louis Fall, André Coulbary, and Pierre Diouf, as well as Mr. Diégane Samba Thioune.

Through them, we honor an entire pioneering generation of our diplomacy. May they rest in peace.

The legacy they have left continues to illuminate the foundations of our foreign policy, built on constant principles: good neighborliness; the promotion of international peace and security; the defense of human rights; the deepening of African integration; as well as the protection of our diaspora and our economic interests.

These principles remain unchanged. However, the world is evolving, and with it come unprecedented challenges in an increasingly unstable and uncertain international environment.

This is why it is our responsibility, while building on our traditional strengths, to adapt our diplomacy and modernize its tools to make it more effective. This is precisely the relevance of the theme of your work: “Senegalese diplomacy and the renewal of international cooperation: principles and modes of action.”

This renewal reflects a deliberate shift: from a diplomacy of presence to a diplomacy of sovereignty, results, and anticipation, serving our strategic interests.

This is not a withdrawal, but rather a clear affirmation of our ability to define and pursue, independently, our choices and priorities.

Our ambition is to build a State committed to the path of sustainable development, based on balanced, respectful, and mutually beneficial partnerships.

In this regard, your new compass will be the national transformation agenda, Senegal 2050, which identifies priority sectors such as transparent governance, food sovereignty, infrastructure, industrialization, and digital development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We live in a world of major geopolitical turbulence and unprecedented challenges, including in our immediate neighborhood, with serious risks of fragmentation of our regional space.

This is compounded by the multiple effects of climate disruption, a deep economic crisis, and a multilateral system under severe strain.

The resurgence of armed conflicts and recurring tensions between nuclear powers raise questions about the effectiveness of current mechanisms for crisis prevention and management. We are witnessing an increasing normalization of unilateral use of force, in clear contradiction with the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Such developments endanger global balance and deeply challenge our conception of human dignity.

Senegal condemns any selective approach to the value of human life and will continue to oppose, consistently, any form of “double standards.”

More than ever, it is important to work towards the emergence of a more just international order, where human beings remain at the center of concerns, and where everyone can live in peace, dignity, and security.

In this perspective, Senegal’s voice will continue to be heard clearly and firmly on issues of universal concern, while aligning with a dynamic of unified action at the subregional and continental levels.

I am convinced that, strengthened by our unity, solidarity, and self-confidence, we are capable of playing a leading role in shaping the future of our continent.

This implies a stronger commitment to African integration, both in the design and implementation of community policies, as well as increased mobilization to make Africa’s voice heard on the international stage.

For us, multilateralism must remain the preferred framework for international action. However, it must be reinvented. It must be renewed and revitalized to move beyond the post–World War order.

This requires an ambitious reform of global governance to make it more equitable, more representative, and better suited to contemporary realities.

Africa must occupy its rightful place, and its priorities must be fully taken into account.

Senegalese diplomacy will remain committed to the climate cause, in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, in favor of a just and equitable energy transition.

Faithful to its values, Senegal will also continue to promote the equal dignity of cultures and civilizations.

Respect for diversity is an essential foundation of peaceful coexistence among peoples. No civilization can claim to impose its values as universal norms to the detriment of others.

Ladies and Gentlemen Ambassadors and Consuls General,

The renewal of our diplomacy also requires better support for our compatriots abroad. Their contribution is a major strategic lever for our development.

That is why I have ensured the full integration of the diaspora into the scope of the Ministry’s responsibilities.

The establishment of the National Diaspora Day, whose first edition was held last December 17, is a concrete illustration of this.

Beyond strengthened consular protection, the State will work to modernize mechanisms for managing this community, so as to make it a central actor in our economic development and influence.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of our external action depends on the performance of our diplomatic apparatus and stronger coordination among the various State entities.

In an increasingly competitive international environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must fully assume its leadership role, in a spirit of coherence, complementarity, and efficiency.

It is imperative to avoid any dispersion of our initiatives that would undermine the clarity and impact of our diplomacy.

You have the skills and the means to act. I strongly urge you to live up to the trust placed in you by demonstrating commitment, rigor, and excellence.

For its part, the State will continue its efforts to modernize the diplomatic tool, by improving the living and working conditions of staff, while promoting merit, competence, and professionalism.

I expect from your work a thorough analysis of the international context, concrete proposals, and an operational roadmap commensurate with the ambitions we hold for our diplomacy.

On this note, I hereby declare open the 7th General Conference of Senegal’s Ambassadors and Consuls General and wish you every success in your deliberations.

Thank you for your kind attention.