PHNOM PENH, March 9, 2026 – Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo has concluded a working visit to Cambodia focused on preparations for the 20th Francophonie Summit, which will be held in Phnom Penh on November 15–16, 2026, according to an official Cambodian foreign ministry communiqué.
During the March 1–4 visit, Mushikiwabo met Senate President Hun Sen, Prime Minister Hun Manet and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn as Cambodia and the Francophonie secretariat reviewed progress in preparations for the summit.
According to the communiqué, both sides also underlined the importance of promoting the Francophonie’s values of peace, dialogue and solidarity at a time of growing geopolitical instability and multiplying armed conflicts.
The two sides expressed a shared intention to make the Phnom Penh summit a significant event, 29 years after the last Francophonie summit held in the Asia-Pacific region, as Cambodia prepares to host the gathering for the first time.
Cambodian officials have presented the November meeting as a diplomatic milestone and an opportunity to showcase the country’s cultural heritage and economic potential to visiting heads of state and government. Preparations reviewed during the visit included arrangements for the summit, the 47th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie, and related events including the Village de la Francophonie and FrancoTech.
As part of the visit, Mushikiwabo also travelled to Siem Reap province, where the communiqué said she visited 414 families living in temporary shelters at Thormak Raingsei pagoda in Sampov Lun village, Kralanh district. She also visited the Paul Dubrule tourism school, which the statement said contributes to training young Cambodians in hospitality and restaurant professions, with particular attention to sustainable tourism.
The visit formed part of ongoing coordination between Cambodia and the Francophonie secretariat ahead of the November summit, which Phnom Penh has framed as an opportunity to deepen multilateral engagement within the Francophone community.
