(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, also Acting Head of State of Cambodia, reassured the international community that the current border issue between Cambodia and Thailand will not affect Cambodia’s hosting of the 20th Francophonie Summit scheduled for November 2026.

His remarks were made during a meeting with Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), on Monday morning (Mar. 2) at the Solidarity Palace in Phnom Penh.

According to Senate Spokesperson Chea Thyrith, Samdech Techo Hun Sen warmly welcomed Mushikiwabo’s return visit, describing it as a meaningful contribution to supporting and encouraging Cambodia’s preparations for the upcoming summit.

During the meeting, Samdech Techo Hun Sen emphasized that the border situation would not disrupt Cambodia’s plans and urged leaders of Francophonie member states not to be concerned. He reaffirmed Cambodia’s full readiness to host delegations from across the Francophone world.

Mushikiwabo expressed gratitude for the warm reception extended to her and her delegation. She noted her positive impressions upon arriving in Cambodia, highlighting the country’s rapid development. She also praised the newly constructed Techo International Airport for its modern design and preparedness to welcome high-level international delegations.

The secretary general considered Cambodia as an active and committed member of the Francophonie community. She commended Samdech Techo’s past leadership, particularly his role in securing peace during his tenure as prime minister, which she said has laid the foundation for lasting stability in the country.

For his part, Samdech Techo expressed appreciation for the secretary general’s remarks and voiced confidence that, despite a complex global environment, the 2026 Francophonie Summit in Cambodia would be a success and a historic milestone for both Cambodia and the OIF.

He also expressed hope that Mushikiwabo would continue to provide strong support for Cambodia’s summit preparations. For her part, she reaffirmed her commitment to assisting Cambodia in organizing the event, noting that her visit focused primarily on reviewing and advancing preparation efforts.

Cambodia will host the 20th Summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie in November 2026. Although the summit was initially planned for Siem Reap Province, the venue has been relocated to Phnom Penh to better accommodate international delegations and logistical requirements.
=FRESH NEWS