AKP Phnom Penh, October 29, 2025 -- Her Majesty the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk granted a royal audience to H.E. Olivier Richard, the new French Ambassador to Cambodia, at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on Oct. 28.

According to the French Embassy, H.E. Olivier Richard expressed his gratitude to Her Majesty the Queen-Mother for her continued support of the French language in Cambodia, as the Kingdom hosts the 20th Francophonie Summit in 2026.

The discussions also focused on the exceptional ties between France and Cambodia, the same source added.

Cambodia's official hosting of the 20th Francophonie Summit was announced during the closing ceremony of the 19th Francophonie Summit, held in Paris on Oct. 5, 2024. His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, also attended the event and delivered a royal address on the occasion.

The Francophonie Summit is a prestigious event to demonstrate Cambodia's cultural heritage and its commitment to the values of Francophonie.

The Francophonie Summit is the highest authority in the Francophonie. It is held every two years and gathers the heads of State/Governments of all member states.

Francophonie was officially established on Mar. 20, 1970. Cambodia became the observer member, at the 4th Francophonie Summit in Chaillot, Paris, France in November 1991, and becomes a full member, at the 5th Francophonie Summit in Grand-Baie in Mauritius in October 1993.

The International Organisation of La Francophonie now has 93 member states including 56 full members, 5 associate members and 32 observers.

By C. Nika