At the invitation of Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron will pay a state visit to Cambodia from 14 to 16 November 2026, coinciding with the country’s hosting of the 20th Francophonie Summit. This is according to a press release issued by Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 9 November 2026.
The summit is an international forum for leaders and representatives of French-speaking countries to discuss common challenges and promote cooperation in politics, the economy, culture, education and the use of the French language.
During the visit, the President will have an audience with the King at the Royal Palace and meet Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet.
In addition to meetings with Cambodian leaders, Emmanuel Macron will travel to Siem Reap province to jointly preside with the King over a ceremony marking the completion of the West Mebon temple restoration project. The visit is of historical significance as the first state visit by a French president to Cambodia since the visits of President Charles de Gaulle in 1966 and President François Mitterrand in 1993. Hosting the 20th Francophonie Summit will also provide Cambodia with an opportunity to demonstrate its role in the French-speaking community and expand relations with international partners.
Several cooperation agreements and documents in the fields of the economy, investment, culture and defence will also be signed during the visit. This cooperation will help create new opportunities for both countries to promote exchanges and development in promising sectors and strengthen the traditional friendship between Cambodia and France. Overall, the state visit and the 20th Francophonie Summit will offer an important opportunity to open a new chapter in Cambodia–France relations and expand mutually beneficial cooperation. By Sopheak.
