In a meeting on the sidelines of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation PRAK Sokhonn reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment to addressing global ocean-related challenges, including marine pollution and biodiversity loss.
On 10 June 2025, His Excellency PRAK Sokhonn met with His Excellency Jean-Noél BARROT, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic. The meeting took place at the invitation of France as the host of UNOC3. During their discussion, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister extended sincere appreciation to his French counterpart for the warm welcome despite France’s busy schedule.
His Excellency PRAK Sokhonn also congratulated France on its continued leadership on the global stage, particularly through the successful organization of UNOC3 and other prominent international events. He highlighted that the presence of Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister at UNOC3, upon the kind invitation of His Excellency Emmanuel MACRON, President of the French Republic, reaffirmed Cambodia's strong commitment to addressing global ocean-related challenges.
Cambodia signed the Agreement on Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), demonstrating its readiness to collaborate with the international community in preserving ecosystems. The agreement was welcomed by France, which encouraged Cambodia and other states to ratify it at the earliest opportunity, prior to the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly.
The meeting also touched upon bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and France, including France's continued support for Cambodia's socio-economic development across key priority sectors. The two foreign ministers expressed profound satisfaction with the historical friendship and dynamic cooperation between Cambodia and France, as reflected in five high-level visits of Cambodian dignitaries to France between 2022 and 2028.
His Excellency PRAK Sokhonn underscored France’s continued importance as an essential partner of Cambodia, noting that France remains the leading European source of tourists and the fifth-largest European trading partner. He also expressed appreciation for the deepening of defense and security cooperation, including various training programs, regular exchanges of working visits between the two defense forces, and the signing of the Defense Cooperation Agreement 2024-2027.
The discussion also focused on educational and cultural cooperation between Cambodia and France, including France's long-standing support through the provision of scholarships and vocational and technical training opportunities. His Excellency PRAK Sokhonn expressed sincere gratitude for France’s key contributions to preservation and promotion of heritage sites in Cambodia, such as the restoration of the Western Mebon and the renovation of the National Museum of Phnom Penh.
In addition, the two foreign ministers discussed cooperation within a multilateral framework, particularly in the context of France's technical support for Cambodia’s hosting of the 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled for 2026 in Siem Reap. His Excellency PRAK Sokhonn expressed hope for additional financial support to ensure the success of this historic event.
Following his engagements at UNOC3 in Nice, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister continued his working visit in Paris where he met with Her Excellency Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF). The meeting resulted in the official signing of an agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the OIF for the organization of the 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled to take place in 2026 in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The signing of the agreement marks an important milestone in Cambodia's growing involvement in the International Organization of La Francophonie, as well as the strengthening of its ties of friendship and cooperation with all member states of the OIF.