Francophonie Chief Highlights Role in Uniting Nations and Fostering Peace

On November 13, 2026, Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), inaugurated the Village de la Francophonie in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This event is part of the preparations for the 20th Conference of Heads of State and Government of Francophonie, scheduled for November 15-16, 2026. Mushikiwabo highlighted Francophonie's significance as a platform that brings together people and countries with diverse histories and cultures, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, cooperation, and peace-building.

The Village de la Francophonie is a showcase of the cultural and economic diversity of Francophone countries, with participants from five continents. Mushikiwabo emphasized that this event demonstrates Cambodia's strong connection to Francophonie and its desire to make this conference a significant and inclusive event. She also stressed that Francophonie should not be limited to diplomatic meetings and political discussions but should also be a space for people to connect, share experiences, and celebrate their diversity.

Mushikiwabo highlighted the strong ties between Cambodia and Rwanda, two countries with rich cultural heritage and a history of resilience. She noted that music and dance are powerful tools for uniting people from different countries, even when separated by long distances. The OIF Secretary-General emphasized that Francophonie's strength lies in bringing together people with different backgrounds, histories, and perspectives, creating opportunities for mutual understanding and cooperation.

The inauguration of the Village de la Francophonie featured cultural performances by Cambodian and Rwandan artists, showcasing the strong cultural ties between the two nations. The event will run until November 17, 2026, and is expected to attract up to 100,000 people from Cambodia and other countries. Mushikiwabo also emphasized the importance of promoting the use of French and Khmer languages to foster new relationships and cooperation between countries.

The 20th Conference of Heads of State and Government of Francophonie will bring together leaders from 90 countries to discuss cooperation in politics, economy, culture, education, and other international issues. The conference's theme, "Reaffirming Our Commitment to Peace for Sustainable Development," reflects Francophonie's commitment to promoting peace as a foundation for sustainable development. Mushikiwabo has emphasized that peace is a fragile and valuable resource that requires daily attention and nurturing.

The conference will also provide an opportunity for Cambodia, which has experienced significant challenges in its history, to share its perspectives on peace and development. The event will also feature the election of a new Secretary-General of Francophonie, with Louise Mushikiwabo, representing Rwanda, among the four candidates vying for the position. The new Secretary-General will lead the organization for the next four years (2027-2030).

In addition to the political discussions, the conference will include the 48th Ministerial Conference of Francophonie and the FrancoTech exhibition, which focuses on technology and innovation. These events aim to promote business, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges between Francophone countries. The Francophonie summit is an important platform for promoting cooperation, understanding, and peace among its member countries.

Key points

• Louise Mushikiwabo, OIF Secretary-General, inaugurated the Village de la Francophonie in Cambodia, highlighting Francophonie's role in uniting diverse countries and promoting peace.
• The 20th Conference of Heads of State and Government of Francophonie will discuss cooperation in politics, economy, culture, education, and other international issues.
• The conference will also feature the election of a new Secretary-General of Francophonie, with Louise Mushikiwabo among the four candidates vying for the position.