(Phnom Penh) The 20th Francophonie Summit opened on Sunday in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, bringing together leaders of French-speaking countries to strengthen cooperation and promote peace, shared prosperity and stability.
According to the Cambodia-China Times (《柬中时报》), this is the first time in 29 years that the Francophonie summit has been held in Southeast Asia. The two-day summit, themed "Reinvesting in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Stability", has drawn representatives from 81 countries and territories.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Sunday (15 November), Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Cambodia hoped to serve as a bridge between Asia and French-speaking countries. He proposed three initiatives: establishing a Francophonie conflict prevention and mediation network, strengthening artificial intelligence (AI) education and training for young people, and deepening trade and economic cooperation between businesses in French-speaking countries and ASEAN.
He stressed that preventing conflict always costs less than post-war reconstruction, noting that Cambodia understood the value of peace after enduring a prolonged war.
On the situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border, Hun Manet said the ceasefire agreement reached by the two sides on 27 December last year remained in effect, but the situation was still unstable, with about 20,000 Cambodians unable to return home. He urged both sides to abide by existing agreements, resume land border surveying and demarcation as soon as possible, and resolve their disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.
Despite its theme of peace, the summit has been overshadowed by tensions between DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda PresidentPaul Kagame, whose countries are both members, as well as a dispute over the election of the next leader of the International Organisation of La Francophonie.
The incumbent secretary-general, Rwanda's Louise Mushikiwabo, has led the organisation for eight years and is seeking a third term. DR Congo, however, strongly opposes her candidacy and has threatened to withdraw from the organisation if she is re-elected.
DR Congo also accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel movement operating in eastern DR Congo, an allegation Rwanda denies.
French President Emmanuel Macron called on the organisation to remain united, warning that internal divisions would weaken it. He stressed that the organisation belonged to all member states, not any single country.
DR Congo has nominated Juliana Lumumba, the daughter of former Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba for the post of secretary-general, and said it would consider withdrawing its candidate if Rwanda did the same. France said it had suggested that both sides withdraw their candidates to preserve the organisation's unity.
According to summit sources, former Romanian prime minister Dacian Ciolos would be the front runner if both sides withdrew their candidates.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that global military spending had reached 13 times the total amount of development aid. He urged countries to step up diplomatic efforts, uphold international law and build a fairer international financial system. “Peace is our best investment,” he said.
