International Francophonie Day, also known as Francophone Day, is celebrated on March 20 every year to honor the French language and Francophone culture. It was established in 1988 to commemorate the signing of the Niamey Convention in Niger on March 20, 1970, which led to the creation of the Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, the precursor to the International Organization of La Francophonie. The day is observed within the 77 member states of the International Organization of La Francophonie and celebrates the French language, which is spoken by over 369 million people worldwide. The day also highlights the values of peace, democracy, and respect for human rights that unite all members of the organization. In 2025, the focus of International Francophonie Day is on the role of education in sustainable development, with the theme "I educate myself, therefore I act". The day is marked with community events around the world, including film screenings, poetry competitions, exhibitions, and debates.