Ignazio Cassis to represent Switzerland at Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh
Bern, 12.11.2026 — Federal Council Vice-President Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at the 20th Francophonie Summit, to be held on 15 and 16 November 2026 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Under the motto ‘Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Stability’, the summit will focus on peace and cooperation. The election of the secretary-general of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) is also on the agenda.
Founded in 1970, the IOF comprises 90 member states and governments, associate members and observer states. Thirty years after joining the IOF, Switzerland will reaffirm its commitment to multilingualism and cultural diversity at the summit. It will also advocate for an effective organisation whose targeted actions complement those of other multilateral forums and take account of the extent to which resources are available.
Against an international backdrop marked by numerous crises, Mr Cassis will highlight the role of La Francophonie in preventing conflicts and promoting political dialogue. Drawing on its tradition of good offices, Switzerland will showcase its experience in mediation. It is set to enter into a new partnership with the IOF to strengthen their peacebuilding cooperation.
A side event organised by Switzerland and a stand at the Francophonie Village will focus on digital technology and its impact on multilingualism. In particular, they will highlight the role of International Geneva in digital governance, in conjunction with the IOF's digital resources centre and with a view to the Geneva AI Summit 2027.
Bilateral discussions with Cambodia
A meeting with the Cambodian authorities is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the Francophonie Summit. Cambodia is a priority country for Swiss development cooperation. Switzerland has maintained a presence in Phnom Penh since 2012, with a cooperation office, run by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and a consular agency. Public-private partnerships, especially in the fields of the environment and vocational and professional education and training, will be discussed at the meeting. Cooperation in the health sector, with the Kantha Bopha hospitals, will also be addressed. The fight against online scam centres and the security challenges facing the region are also on the agenda.
Switzerland in the International Organisation of La Francophonie