PHNOM PENH: Emmanuel Macron is set to attend a biennial meeting of French-speaking territories beginning on Saturday in Cambodia, where the French president contending with public unrest at home will face international political challenges as a conflict in Africa hangs over the proceedings.
Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron were greeted on the tarmac in Phnom Penh by traditional Apsara dancers performing classical blessings. The French leader, who said on X that he seeks to develop new markets in Cambodia for French businesses, later met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The Organization internationale de la Francophonie, or OIF, is holding the three-day meeting through Monday in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. Macron is expected to engage in bilateral discussions and join the summit meeting of the loose confederation of 90 member states and governments comprising 53 full members, five associate members and 32 observers — all French-speaking places.
Cambodia will take over the summit’s chairmanship from Macron, who served as chair in 2024 when France was the host nation.
Before departing for Malaysia on Monday, Macron is to visit the famed Angkor World Heritage Site near the city of Siem Reap, where he and King Norodom Sihamoni will mark the completion of a French-supported restoration of the West Mebon temple.
