L’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) leaders including the Administrator of the OIF, Ms. Caroline St-Hilaire, and the President of the Summit Secretariat, Ms. Sophea EAT have this Thursday signed an agreement in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.
The 20th edition of this Summit kicks off in the next three days.
This agreement concerns the OIF’s financial support to the Kingdom of Cambodge for organizing this major event.
The estimated budget for the 20th OIF Summit in Phnom Penh is close to €100 million based on costs for previous editions.
Insiders in the organisation said a large portion of the budget is allocated to security composed of 5,000 Cambodian personnel (police, gendarmerie, and army), 500 French and Canadian experts and Dedicated command centers, surveillance drones, and anti-drone barriers.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet said more than 20 countries confirmed that their top leaders, including heads of state, presidents and prime ministers, would attend the 20th Francophonie Summit scheduled for November 14 to 16.
The Cambodian Information Ministry reported earlier this week that 78 of the 90 expected countries had confirmed their participation.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s attendance will add significance to the occasion, as he will also make an official visit to Cambodia.
His visit will be the first by a French president to Cambodia in 60 years and only the second by a French head of state.
