Phnom penh: Preparations for the 20th Francophonie Summit, set to occur in Phnom Penh from November 15-16, 2026, are advancing smoothly, as reported by a senior official. H.E. Luy David, the Cambodian Ambassador to France and Vice President of the Political Committee of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), recently disclosed on social media that a working group is in the process of drafting a declaration for the upcoming summit.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Luy David stated that the Declaration Drafting Committee, chaired by France with Cambodia as Vice Chair, is collaborating closely with the OIF to ensure the summit's successful preparation. He emphasized the words of His Majesty the King of Cambodia, stating that "in 2026, the Khmer smile will be the smile of Francophonie." David highlighted the commitment of Cambodia and the OIF to make the 20th Summit a historic event.
H.E. Olivier Richard, the French Ambassador to Cambodia, recently conveyed to the Agence Kampuchea Press that Cambodia is exerting every effort to guarantee the success of the gathering. He noted that the Francophonie Summit presents an opportunity to foster new cooperation between Cambodia and the French-speaking world. Richard also pointed out that Cambodia is preparing to host the event in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time since the 6th summit in Vietnam in 1997.
The ambassador remarked on the Francophonie community's foundation of friendship and solidarity, which also offers significant economic and trade opportunities, accounting for 16 percent of global GDP and 20 percent of global trade. In a recent meeting with French President H.E. Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet shared Cambodia's preparations to host the summit under the theme: 'Reinvesting in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability.'
Samdech Thipadei expressed Cambodia's ambition to enhance the Francophonie's role in the Asia-Pacific region and to promote cooperation in youth, innovation, and the economy. The Prime Minister also conveyed his readiness to welcome the French President on a state visit to Cambodia and to attend the summit, viewing it as a historic occasion to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Cambodia is among the 90 member states of the OIF, which includes 53 full members, five associate members, and 32 observer countries. Globally, approximately 296 million people speak and use French.