On 11 November 2026, the president of France led a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris commemorating the 108th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice. He paid tribute to those who fought and died for France and stressed the importance of passing their memory on to younger generations. After the ceremony, he received flag bearers, representatives of patriotic and veterans’ associations, and residents of the National Institution for Invalids at the Élysée Palace.
In his address, the president set out four priorities based on the April meetings on veterans’ issues: strengthen veterans’ associations’ role in national dialogue on resilience; ensure the right to compensation and simplify procedures; make remembrance a principle serving national cohesion; and put young people at the centre of passing on memory and civic engagement.
Next January, the G12 will become the Council for the Veterans’ Community, a forum for dialogue between associations, the government and Parliament. The state will also establish a delegation for veterans, remembrance and culture, replacing the Directorate of Remembrance, Culture and Archives. Discussions will begin with the Economic, Social and Environmental Council on the place and representation of the veterans’ community in civil society.
