Phnom Penh:Foreign dignitaries and high-level delegations began arriving in Cambodia on Thursday, ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit, which will be held this weekend in Phnom Penh.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, among the prominent figures who arrived on Thursday were the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal, Cheikh Niang; the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Central African Republic, Ms. Sylvie Baïpo-Temon; the Bulgarian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Ivanka Tasheva; and the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, who is also on a state visit to Cambodia.
Their arrival marks the beginning of the influx of foreign leaders, ministers, and senior officials expected at this important international meeting, which will bring together representatives of member states, associate members, and observer states of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
Cambodia is hosting the 20th Francophonie Summit under the theme "Reinvesting in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability." This meeting will provide an important platform for leaders to exchange views, strengthen solidarity, and explore opportunities for closer cooperation in various spheres such as politics, economics, culture, and education.
The Summit should also allow Cambodia to deepen its diplomatic relations with countries from different regions of the world, particularly with Africa, which has a significant number of OIF member states. Official figures indicate that approximately 80 of the 90 expected delegations have confirmed their participation, with around twenty being led by heads of state and government.
In addition, more than 1,200 national and international journalists have registered to cover this historic event. The 20th Francophonie Summit aims to promote common values of peace, solidarity, democracy, cultural diversity, and sustainable development, while opening new prospects for cooperation between Francophone countries and their global partners.
Beyond its political significance, the Summit will serve as a platform for visibility, dialogue, and networking among economic, institutional, and consular stakeholders in the Francophone world, fostering exchanges and strengthening South-South and North-South cooperation.