Francophonie: Cambodia wants to be seen "far from caricatures"

Days before the 20th Francophonie Summit, Raoul M. Jennar, adviser to the Royal Government, describes the event as a strategic showcase. The kingdom intends to defend its economic record and its image as a country committed to peace.

Raoul M. Jennar, adviser to the Royal Government, during his interview with state media @AKP

Phnom Penh hosts the 20th Francophonie Summit from 14 to 16 November. High-level representatives from 90 countries are expected, according to the official AKP news agency. The theme: "Reinvesting in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability".

For the government, the stakes go beyond protocol. Raoul M. Jennar, adviser to the Royal Government, told state media on Monday that the summit is "a major strategic opportunity" to showcase the country's economic achievements, its commitment to peace and its modern image.

"The Summit offers the opportunity to present modern Cambodia, far from caricatures," he said.

The adviser also expects concrete benefits. For a few days the kingdom will be at the centre of the French-speaking world and will gain international visibility. Meetings between economic and institutional players should help build contacts. The programme highlights North-South and South-South cooperation, economic initiatives within the Francophone community and Cambodia's investment potential.

A record on display, a tougher economic climate

Raoul Jennar sets out the official narrative. The country achieved peace at the end of 1998 through Samdech Techo Hun Sen's "Win-Win" policy. It then recorded average growth of 7% over two decades. It has been fully rebuilt and came through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The next step is graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category. The UN General Assembly has set it for December 2029. The adviser speaks of "bold reforms" to get there, despite a difficult international context.

Yet the summit comes in a tougher year. At the end of September, the IMF cut its growth forecast for Cambodia to 3% for 2026, with inflation expected at 5.6%. The Asian Development Bank forecasts 3.9%, citing weaker tourism.

Angkor, the Khmer Rouge and the rest

The adviser starts from an observation. Abroad, Cambodia's image is still shaped by two references: the grandeur of the Angkor temples and the painful legacy of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. Disinformation, he adds, sometimes distorts that image further.

The summit is meant to challenge these stereotypes and show how much the country has changed. Other indicators also weigh on its image. In October, the World Justice Project ranked Cambodia 140th out of 143 for the rule of law, according to Cambodia Investment Review.

Raoul Jennar puts the emphasis on the diplomatic message. "Our visitors will discover a country that, despite wars inflicted by others, both in the past and today, seeks to be the friend of all and the enemy of none, and intends to act as an unwavering advocate of peace, dialogue and international law," he said.

The "today" refers to the border conflict with Thailand, which saw armed clashes in 2025. It is against this backdrop that Phnom Penh hosts a summit devoted to peace.

"That is the image we want to leave with the summit participants when they depart Cambodia," the adviser concluded.