President Macron welcomes the world to France at the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 Opening Ceremony

Tonight, the world gathered to celebrate the power of skills. 1,400 young people from nearly 70 countries and regions were welcomed into the WorldSkills community in a grand, unforgettable Opening Ceremony to mark the official opening of WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

Over 12,000 people filled the seats of the prestigious LDLC Arena in Lyon while thousands more from across the globe watched the livestream of the event. For everyone, 10 September 2024 has become a night they will remember for a long time!

Almost two years from the close of WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, when the WorldSkills flag was handed over to Lyon, a hush fell over the venue as the countdown began to what will be the start of incredible celebration of skills. The opening production was a tribute to Lyon, as performers dressed in the distinct colours of the beautiful city and welcomed the global skills community.

The WorldSkills Champions Trust, a group of former WorldSkills Competitors, then took to the stage with the entrance of the WorldSkills flag. With national flags held high, the arena then began to fill with colour, noise, and the energy of 1,400 young people as this year’s Competitors literally walked in the footsteps of the Champions Trust.

The Parade of Nations is an eagerly anticipated moment in any WorldSkills Competition and tonight, in Lyon, the WorldSkills teams set a vibrant and inspiring tone as they marched in. Every country and region had their moment to shine, and the audience supported them all with rapturous cheers and applause. As the last team took their place, the diversity and strength of the WorldSkills community could be seen.

Once all countries and regions had arrived, laser lights welcomed the Competitors who now had the best seats in venue to take in the show. They sat back to enjoy a stunning performance centred on “Humans and the power of skills.”

Max Roche, President of WorldSkills Lyon 2024, walked onto the stage to welcome guests to this momentous evening, speaking of the four values of WorldSkills – Excellence, Generosity, Openness, and Unity. He said, “We believe that everything is possible with skills. This Competition is all about sharing – sharing skills, sharing knowledge, sharing happiness, sharing success. We want to welcome everyone no matter where he or she comes from.”

WorldSkills Champion Trust representative from France, Cloé Lemaréchal, lead the way as three Competitors and three Experts took to the stage to take the WorldSkills Oath on behalf of all Competitors and Experts. The Oath is an important tradition where they commit to upholding the values of a WorldSkills Competition.

Chris Humphries, President of WorldSkills, and Shweta Ratanpura, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Asia, then shared the stage to deliver a joint opening speech. Shweta competed at WorldSkills Kazan 2019 in Graphic Design Technology and was the first Indian woman to bring home a WorldSkills medal.

She encouraged Competitors to take this moment to shine on the global stage, saying, “I ask you to make a commitment right now to pay it forward. Take all the advantages you’ve been given and make the WorldSkills movement even stronger. Make your mark and pursue excellence in all you do.”

Chris took the opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of every single person who had been involved in the preparations for WorldSkills Lyon 2024. He said, “We are grateful to the Government of the French Republic, WorldSkills France, the City of Lyon, the Metropole of Lyon, and of course WorldSkills Lyon 2024, for also believing in our mission. Thank you to our Event Sponsors, and Global Partners, including our Official Event Presenter, Samsung, for your unwavering support. To WorldSkills Members, Experts, and our colleagues working in policy, industry, and education. Your belief in skills is vital to the strength of our community.

He also used the evening to remind the audience that we are here to celebrate young people with the skills and ambition to build great things. He said, “Whatever country we may come from, however different our journeys have been to get here, each of you has the ambition to imagine a better way forward and the determination to lead us towards a more secure, equitable, and sustainable planet.”

With these powerful words ringing in the ears of the assembled audience, the spotlight turned to Emmanuel Macron, President of France, who declared the 47th WorldSkills Competition officially open. And with that WorldSkills Lyon 2024 was underway!

WorldSkills Lyon 2024 begins tomorrow at Eurexpo Lyon and runs until 15 September when the Closing Ceremony and medal-giving will be held at the famous Groupama Stadium.

Find out more about the ceremonies or watch the WorldSkills Lyon 2024 Opening Ceremony again.

WorldSkills Lyon 2024

WorldSkills Lyon 2024, 10 to 15 September, is the world’s largest international skills competition, featuring 1,400 Competitors from almost 70 countries and regions. The 47th WorldSkills Competition showcases excellence in young skilled talent, while also bringing industry, education, and government leaders together to move skills to the top of the global agenda. WorldSkills is highlighting the critical role skills play in addressing global challenges, boosting economies and industries, and promoting excellence.