Phnom Penh:UNESCO and Cambodia have reaffirmed their strategic partnership focusing on culture, education, and youth during the 20th Francophonie Summit hosted by Cambodia. This event marks a significant moment in consolidating decades of cooperation aimed at educational, scientific, and cultural development.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Flavio Bonetti, UNESCO's representative in Cambodia, emphasized the importance of the summit in a special interview with state media at the UNESCO office in Phnom Penh. He noted that the summit serves as a reaffirmation of Cambodia's commitment to international cooperation and peaceful multilateralism. Furthermore, it offers an important platform to highlight the successes of joint efforts in preserving Khmer heritage.

The summit, which is being held in Phnom Penh for the first time from November 14 to 16, provides an opportunity to celebrate Cambodia's intangible cultural heritage, including traditional dances, music, textile craftsmanship, and ancestral sports. These cultural elements have been supported by UNESCO for many years.

Since 1976, UNESCO and the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF) have maintained a strong institutional partnership. This collaboration is reflected in concrete actions on the ground, focusing on education and multilingualism, creative industries, and rights and freedoms. The theme of the summit, "Reinvesting in peace for shared prosperity and lasting stability," underscores the commitment to these shared goals.