Expanding cooperation within La Francophonie

Economic, scientific, technological, and innovation cooperation is emerging as an important driver of stronger connectivity, greater potential, and sustainable development within La Francophonie. As an active and responsible member, Viet Nam continues to advance practical areas of cooperation while contributing to collective efforts to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity.

This was among the key points emphasized by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong in an interview with the press ahead of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's participation in the 20th La Francophonie Summit in Cambodia.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong, at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from November 14 to 16, 2026.

Under the theme "Reinvesting in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Stability," the summit is expected to bring together representatives from the 90 states and governments of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), including full members, associate members, and observers.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong said the visit carries significant importance in both multilateral and bilateral terms. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's continued participation in the La Francophonie Summit, following the 19th Summit in France in 2024, reaffirms Viet Nam's consistent commitment to La Francophonie and its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, and proactive, comprehensive international integration.

At the summit, Viet Nam aims to work with other members to promote dialogue, strengthen solidarity, and expand cooperation with partners in support of the country's development. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam is expected to attend the summit's sessions, share Viet Nam's perspectives on major issues facing La Francophonie, and deliver remarks at the opening session of FrancoTech, an initiative designed to promote economic, scientific, technological, and innovation cooperation among members.

Notably, the summit's organization in Cambodia carries particular significance, marking the second time the event has been held in the Asia-Pacific region, following the 7th Francophonie Summit in Ha Noi in 1997.

The participation of Viet Nam's top leader demonstrates the country's support for Cambodia as the host nation. It is also expected to help strengthen political trust, enhance coordination at regional and international forums, and deepen the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The visit will also provide opportunities for Viet Nam to engage with leaders of other La Francophonie member states, particularly African countries, thereby advancing practical and effective cooperation initiatives.

Turning cooperation priorities into tangible results

Discussing Viet Nam's role within La Francophonie, Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong affirmed that Viet Nam has made a significant contribution to broadening the community's scope and areas of cooperation.

A major milestone was the 7th Francophonie Summit, held in Ha Noi in 1997. It was the first summit to take place in Asia and also the occasion on which member states elected the first Secretary-General of La Francophonie.

At that summit, Viet Nam proposed promoting economic cooperation, helping expand the community's activities beyond traditional areas such as language and culture to encompass economic and social development.

Building on this contribution, Viet Nam has maintained its role in connecting La Francophonie cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region, while promoting education, training, research, and human resource development, and actively participating in the development and implementation of the community's cooperation programs.

Today, Ha Noi hosts the OIF's Asia-Pacific Regional Office, while the Asia-Pacific Regional Francophone Center is based in Ho Chi Minh City. Both institutions contribute to promoting French-language education and strengthening regional cooperation.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong, Viet Nam is focusing on two major priorities at this year's summit.

First, Viet Nam will work with other members to uphold peace, stability, dialogue, and confidence-building, while promoting the peaceful settlement of disagreements and disputes in accordance with international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the fundamental principles of international relations.

At the same time, Viet Nam seeks to align La Francophonie cooperation more closely with the development needs of member states. Alongside the community's traditional strengths in language, culture, and education, cooperation should be expanded into economics, science, technology, innovation, and human resource development.

"The key is to translate cooperation priorities into specific programs and tangible outcomes so that La Francophonie cooperation delivers practical benefits to the people," Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized.

Regarding Viet Nam's message at the summit, the Deputy Minister said Party General Secretary and State President To Lam is expected to share his perspectives on the close relationship between peace and development. Accordingly, peace and stability are prerequisites for development, while sustainable and inclusive development that delivers benefits to the people provides the foundation for lasting peace.

Viet Nam expects the 20th Francophonie Summit to generate fresh momentum for the community's renewal, identify practical and feasible cooperation priorities, and strengthen connectivity among members in Asia, Africa, Europe, and other regions.

Through its continued participation and active contribution to La Francophonie cooperation mechanisms, Viet Nam reaffirms its readiness to work alongside other members to build a united, dynamic, and people-centered community that embraces diversity as a strength for promoting cooperation and development.

The 20th Francophonie Summit will take place from November 15 to 16, 2026, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, under the theme "Reinvesting in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Stability." Viet Nam has identified two key priorities for its participation: promoting peace, stability, and dialogue, and expanding practical cooperation in economics, science, technology, innovation, and human resource development.