Cambodia & France: Olivier Richard, the new ambassador, meets the French community
- Christophe Gargiulo
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
The residence of the French Embassy hosted a reception yesterday evening at which the new French Ambassador, Mr Olivier RICHARD, met the French community in Cambodia and introduced Ms Marie BUSCAIL, the new First Counsellor, and Ms Anne DUTHURON, the new Consul.
In his speech, Mr Richard began by paying tribute to the energy and dynamism of the 5,000 or so French nationals registered on the consular register, the majority of whom have shown a strong desire to establish a long-term presence in Cambodia. He expressed his admiration for this endearing country, which he had just discovered a few weeks ago, highlighting the strong ties that unite not only the institutions but also the citizens of both nations.
"France is fortunate to have long-term residents here, as well as regular visitors, who maintain a constant flow of human exchanges. These personal ties, which are just as important as institutional or cultural relations, are the foundation of a solid and vibrant cooperation", he said.
In a moving tribute, he also recalled the memory of Lisa Girard, a compatriot who recently passed away, illustrating these deeply human relationships forged over the years.
The ambassador went on to talk about concrete developments in consular services designed to make life easier for French citizens in Cambodia, including the introduction of online procedures such as life certificates and electronic payments, as well as the modernisation of identity cards. He promised to pay greater attention to the expectations of French nationals and to step up dialogue with consular councillors.
Finally, Mr Richard placed his mission under the sign of intense diplomatic mobilisation, in the run-up to the 20th Francophonie Summit, which will be held in 2026 in Siem Reap. He sees this event, and the forthcoming visit by the President of the French Republic, as major milestones in strengthening the strategic partnership between France and Cambodia in a rapidly changing regional context.
‘We are determined to make this visit a high point, a symbol of our renewed friendship and of France's unwavering commitment to sustainable development, culture and shared prosperity,’ he concluded with conviction.
This speech, imbued with warmth and pragmatism, reflects the style and vision of Olivier Richard, a diplomat on the ground and a man of dialogue. His long career is testimony to his extensive expertise in both bilateral diplomacy and international cooperation, and places him in a key position for the future of Franco-Cambodian relations.
About Olivier Richard
On 20 August 2025, Olivier Richard presented his credentials to His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni. This appointment, published in the Official Journal on 10 July, marks an important step in French diplomacy in South-East Asia. It illustrates Paris' desire to strengthen its cultural, economic and political relations with Cambodia.
Born in March 1964, Olivier Richard is a seasoned diplomat. With a master's degree in Chinese studies, a bachelor's degree in modern literature and a diploma from Cambridge University, he joined the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1989. His career has included posts in Asia - including Minister Counsellor in Beijing and Deputy Director of the French Institute in Taipei - as well as in Africa, where he served as Ambassador to Zambia and Director of the French Development Agency in Niamey. More recently, he was deputy director general for globalisation at the Quai d'Orsay.
His command of Mandarin and his in-depth knowledge of Asian issues make him a major asset for French diplomacy in Cambodia.