Cambodia & Diplomacy: At the Heart of Kigali, the Cambodian Francophonie Reinvents Itself

While Kigali hosted the 46th Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie, Cambodian diplomacy found an ideal stage there to assert a new ambition: to make the Kingdom one of the political, cultural, and geopolitical drivers of the Francophone space.

Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs PRAK Sokhonn

Official trip strengthening ties

On November 18, 2025, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs PRAK Sokhonn began an official visit to Rwanda, a prelude to the Ministerial Conference. This bilateral stop, at the invitation of his Rwandan counterpart Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, aimed to give substance to a still young but strategic relationship between two countries that recognize trajectories of conflict exit and institutional reconstruction.

Discussions focused on political, economic, and cultural cooperation, with the signing of a memorandum for regular consultations between the two ministries and a visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports. Beyond the texts, a shared vision emerges: that of two Global South states betting on Francophonie as a lever for diversifying partnerships and upgrading their economies.

Kigali, a laboratory for inclusive Francophonie

The 46th Ministerial Conference, held from November 19 to 20, 2025, around the theme "Thirty years after Beijing: the contribution of women in Francophone countries," gave PRAK Sokhonn a platform to inscribe Cambodia in the substantive debates of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). The minister highlighted the progress made by the Kingdom regarding gender equality: increased access for girls to education, support for female entrepreneurship, reinforced presence of women in public service, and deployment of Cambodian peacekeepers—including many women—in peacekeeping operations.

This narrative is more than a communication exercise; it positions Cambodia as a contributing country of solutions rather than a simple recipient of aid. By emphasizing the role of women in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), digital transition, and social resilience, Phnom Penh aligns itself with the contemporary priorities of Francophonie while promoting ongoing national public policies.

The challenge of a future Francophonie

During a retreat session on OIF ambitions in the face of international recompositions, PRAK Sokhonn argued for a "balanced voice" Francophonie on major global issues: climate, artificial intelligence, digital governance, and security. He stressed the need for more inclusive, humane multilateralism centered on the needs of developing countries, where the Francophone space would act as a force of proposal rather than a reactive bloc.

To achieve this, the Cambodian diplomacy chief called for increased investment in education, digital technology, and more inclusive economies, particularly for youth. He also advocated strengthening OIF's anticipation, alert, and mediation capacities to prevent conflicts, in line with values of peace, democracy, human rights, and diversity inscribed in the Francophonie Charter.

The resurgence of the French language

Beyond geopolitical stakes, Cambodia’s participation in Kigali reaffirmed a linguistic choice firmly assumed. PRAK Sokhonn recalled the program to reintroduce French in 50 public high schools, the training of hundreds of teachers, and the development of francophone university programs. These efforts are part of a larger strategy to promote a multilingual environment where French remains a diplomatic, economic, and cultural asset, notably through exchanges of youth and artists in Southeast Asia.

In parallel, Cambodia sees in Francophonie an ideal framework to support digital education, creative entrepreneurship, and the emergence of startups targeting Francophone markets. Again, Kigali served as a sounding board: ministers discussed online learning platforms, university cooperation, and joint cultural projects, areas where Phnom Penh intends to position itself as a dynamic partner.

A Cambodian presidency with high responsibility

A symbolic moment: on November 20, PRAK Sokhonn officially assumed the presidency of the Francophonie Ministerial Conference, succeeding France and opening a cycle culminating in the 2026 Summit. In his speech, he thanked Rwanda for hosting the 46th CMF, paid tribute to the outgoing French presidency, and greeted the OIF Secretary-General for her commitment to a "dynamic Francophonie founded on values."

This new responsibility is not merely honorary. It requires Cambodia to guarantee the success of upcoming meetings: the 47th Ministerial Conference scheduled for November 2026 and especially the 20th Francophonie Summit, to be held in Siem Reap, at the heart of the Angkor site. For the Kingdom, hosting heads of state, delegations, and civil society actors from the Francophone world represents a unique opportunity to showcase heritage, hospitality, and also governance and South-South cooperation expertise.

Patient and targeted diplomatic network

On the sidelines of Kigali’s work, PRAK Sokhonn multiplied bilateral meetings with counterparts from Belgium, France, Quebec, and Switzerland. With Brussels, discussions focused on continuing joint programs in health, education, social protection, and demining while exploring new sector cooperation areas.

Facing French and Quebec representatives, the Cambodian minister emphasized French Summit preparation, inviting companies, communities, and cultural actors to engage in the "Francophone Village" and FrancoTech events planned on the side. The exchanges with Switzerland highlighted the continuity of Swiss support for Kantha Bopha hospitals and local governance projects while reaffirming the importance of peace and peaceful dispute resolution, notably along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

A whole map of targeted partnerships emerges, combining traditional cooperation and new alliances around technology, health, and culture. For Cambodia, Kigali was thus not just another diplomatic stopover but the assumed starting point of a sequence where the Kingdom intends to set the rhythm of a Francophonie resolutely turned toward the future.