Phnom Penh:Canada is making a notable impact at the Francophonie Summit, showcasing its commitment to the values of the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF) and reinforcing historical ties with Cambodia, the summit's host country.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Christian DesRoches, Canada's ambassador to Cambodia, emphasized Canada's alignment with the summit's theme set by Cambodia, stressing the urgent need to reinvest in peace. DesRoches highlighted the importance of renewing spaces for dialogue amid a global context marked by the weakening of international balances.

The summit presents a significant opportunity to enhance bilateral cooperation between Canada and Cambodia, building on economic, cultural, and political relations established since the peace agreements. The Canadian presence is reflected in initiatives in higher education and culture, with memoranda of understanding being signed between Canadian and Cambodian institutions, supported by the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and the Cambodian Ministry of Education.

Provincial scholarship programs, joint research projects, and student exchanges are set to advance this academic collaboration. Canadian artistic diversity is also on display through film screenings, visual arts exhibitions, concerts, and lectures, featuring artists from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Manitoba.

The ambassador conveyed a message to the Cambodian population, inviting both Francophones and non-Francophones to participate in the festivities, highlighting that Francophonie transcends language to embody universal values of peace, good governance, democracy, and intercultural dialogue. DesRoches also announced that Canada will host the 21st Francophonie Summit in 2028 in Ottawa, its federal capital.