Preparations for Cambodia to host the major 20th Francophonie Summit in 2026 are moving quickly! Recently, a high-level meeting was held to advance planning for the “Village Francophone,” a large side event focused on culture and business.
Key Leaders Meeting
The meeting took place on November 20th at the Ministry of Tourism and brought together three key government officials who are part of the National Organising Committee for the Summit:
- H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s Affairs (who leads the sub-committee for side events).
- H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts.
- H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism (who helps lead the planning for the Village Francophone).
Their discussions focused on the essential details for the Village Francophone, including choosing the location, strategic planning, arranging logistics (like setup and transport), and finalizing the overall plan.
What is the Village Francophone?
The Village Francophone is being designed as a major platform to showcase the diverse cultures, economies, and businesses of all the French-speaking countries and regions around the world.
About the Main Summit
The Francophonie Summit itself is the highest-level meeting of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). It brings together Presidents and Prime Ministers from all its member countries every two years. This meeting is an important place for global discussion on topics like:
- Political and economic issues.
- Human rights and education.
- Culture and democracy.
- Cooperation among French-speaking nations.
In addition to the main meeting of leaders, Cambodia will host two main side events: the Village Francophone and FrancoTech. These events are expected to attract participation from more than 90 member states and governments of the OIF, along with extensive media coverage from around the world.