Editorial: Cambodia's Francophonie Summit Offers World Leaders a Platform to Address Global Challenges
With about 20 days to go before Cambodia hosts the 20th Francophonie Summit and the 48th Session of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie (CMF) in Phnom Penh, the Kingdom is getting ready to welcome world leaders. On the table: global challenges and the search for common solutions.
A first for the Kingdom
The summit takes place on November 15-16, 2026. It is the first time Cambodia hosts this international gathering. Held under the theme “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability”, it will bring together the leaders of French-speaking countries to discuss international cooperation, multilateralism and sustainable development.
A village, a tech forum, a business meeting
Several events will run alongside it. They aim to strengthen cultural ties, encourage innovation and widen economic cooperation between Francophone countries and their partners.
The Francophonie Village opens from November 13 to 17 in the public park in front of Botum Watey Pagoda. Its theme: “The Khmer Smile will be the Smile of Francophonie”. For five days, national pavilions, exhibitions, food stalls and daily performances will showcase Cambodia's arts, culture and cooperation with the Francophone world. Talks and workshops will also cover tourism, education, youth, gender equality, peace and the preservation of cultural heritage.
FrancoTech runs from November 14 to 16 under the banner “One Francophone Community, One Digital Future”. It brings together players from across the Francophone space to boost economic exchanges, advance technology and highlight entrepreneurial talent.
The sixth Francophone Entrepreneurs Forum (REF) takes place on the same dates. It seeks to tighten economic ties, attract investment and expand trade between business communities in Francophone countries and ASEAN member states.
Together, these gatherings give Cambodia a chance to deepen its international partnerships, especially with French-speaking countries, and to show a global audience its development and cultural heritage.
A history tied to French
Cambodia's place in the Francophone community is rooted in its history. France established a protectorate over the Kingdom on August 11, 1863, during the reign of King Norodom. Cambodia regained full independence on November 9, 1953, under the late King Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk.
During the protectorate, French was widely used in Cambodian society: in communication, education, law and cooperation. Today, about 1,400 French-derived words remain in everyday Khmer, among them the words for radio, telephone and antenna, and many other common items.
The 1904 and 1907 treaties, still invoked at the border
The Franco-Siamese conventions and treaties of 1904 and 1907 are another important chapter in the country's history. They set new boundaries and organised territorial exchanges between the French protectorate authorities, acting on behalf of Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Siam. The Royal Government still treats them as a key basis for settling the current border disputes with Thailand.
French in Cambodia today
English is gaining ground, as it is everywhere, but French keeps a real presence in Cambodia, notably in healthcare, law and the military. An estimated 463,000 people in the country speak French, about 3 percent of the population.
French teaching continues at several institutions: the Department of French Studies at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, the French Institute, other higher education institutions, and bilingual programmes in secondary schools. They train young Cambodians who want to learn and use the language.
La Francophonie: figures and missions
Worldwide, about 396 million people use French. According to the International Organisation of La Francophonie's 2026 report, it is the fourth most widely used language, after English, Mandarin and Spanish.
The organisation has four main missions: to promote the French language, cultures and linguistic diversity; to advance peace, democracy and human rights; to support education, training, higher education and research; and to develop cooperation in support of sustainable development.
Sihanouk's legacy
Hosting the 20th Summit is therefore more than a diplomatic duty. It shows Cambodia's commitment to international cooperation and multilateralism. It is also a tribute to the legacy of the late King Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, one of the founding figures of the institutional Francophonie.
Macron expected, border tensions in the background
His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni will preside over the official opening of the summit on November 15, in the presence of heads of state and government and other leaders from Francophone countries. French President H.E. Emmanuel Macron is also expected to attend.
The meeting will be closely watched. France, a signatory to the Franco-Siamese convention and treaty, will join other international leaders in Phnom Penh while tensions over the Cambodia-Thailand border remain unresolved. Cambodia maintains that Thai forces continue to occupy part of its territory unlawfully.
West Mebon to be inaugurated
Another highlight of the summit period: the royal inauguration of the West Mebon Temple, presided over by His Majesty the King and President Macron.
Set on an island in the centre of the West Baray in Siem Reap province, West Mebon was built under King Udayadityavarman II between 1049 and 1066. Dedicated to Hinduism, it housed a large bronze statue of the reclining Vishnu.
The temple has been through a major restoration under a Cambodian-French project launched in 2012 and due to finish in October 2026. Its inauguration will underline the lasting cultural ties between Cambodia and France, and the importance of protecting the country's historical heritage.
A country ready to host
The 20th Francophonie Summit and the 48th Session of the CMF will open new prospects for the Kingdom: stronger international engagement, closer cooperation with French-speaking countries, and a renewed commitment to peace, sustainable development and multilateralism.
As host and chair of the summit, Cambodia is working to make it a success. It warmly welcomes members of the Francophone community, who are invited to experience the Kingdom's hospitality, see its development first-hand and take the measure of its lasting commitment to peace and international cooperation.
Text by AKP Team
Comments