Phnom Penh, October 01, 2024 -- October 01, 2024, Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, departed Phnom Pen to attend the XIXth Francophonie Summit in France next week.

The monarch was seen off at Phnom Penh International Airport by Hun Sen, President of the Senate and Chairman of the Supreme Privy Council to the King, and many other senior officials.

French Ambassador to Cambodia Jacques Pellet was also present on the occasion.

At the invitation of Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic,  Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, will grace the Nineteenth Francophonie Summit in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris from Oct. 4 to 5, 2024.

The King will be accompanied by KUY Sophal, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Royal Palace and Supreme Adviser to the King, SREY Nory, Supreme Adviser to the King, Member of the Constitutional Council and Director of the Royal Cabinet of His Majesty, and SOK Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Under the theme "Create, Innovate and Do Business in French", the Summit will be an opportunity for Heads of State and Government to discuss solutions to common challenges such as youth employment in French-speaking countries and territories.

One of the Summit's aims is to set up a favourable climate for economic development that respects freedom of creation and entrepreneurship, another is to revitalise multilateralism, including through Francophone institutions.

The King will deliver a closing speech to the Summit alongside President Macron and the Secretary General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.

During his stay in Paris,  the King will be received by President Macron and they are expected to exchange views on the traditional friendship between Cambodia and France.