BECOME A MEMBER
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC), in partnership with the Alliance des Patronats Francophones (APF), cordially invites members of the national and international press to cover the historic convening of Francophone Entrepreneurs Forum (La Rencontre des Entrepreneurs Francophones-REF 2026), scheduled for November 13–15, 2026, in Phnom Penh. Held as side event of the 20th Francophonie Summit, this prestigious gathering represents the first time the forum has ever taken place in Southeast Asia. Organizing under the theme “Innovation: Catalysts for a Sustainable and Integrated Francophonie,” REF 2026 will bring together more than 1,000 CEOs, senior executives, investors, and policymakers from over 30 countries to translate multilateral diplomatic ties into measurable trade, strategic investments, and concrete business partnerships between Francophone nations and dynamic ASEAN markets.
The three-day program opens on the evening of Friday, November 13, 2026 at Hotel Cambodiana with an official networking reception hosted by H.E. Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce, featuring Welcome Remarks by Neak Oknha Kith Meng, President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ASEAN Business Advisory Council Cambodia, and Mr. Ahmed Cissé, President of the APF. The forum continues on Saturday, November 14, 2026 at Sofitel Phnom Penh, featuring the APF General Assembly, structured business-matching (B2B) sessions across agro-industry, green energy, logistics, and digital banking, and panel discussions on trade corridors and regional value chains. Saturday’s program concludes with an official Gala Dinner and the ceremonial handover of the REF host mantle from Neak Oknha Kith Meng, President of Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ASEAN Business Advisory Council Cambodia to H.E. Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius.
The forum reaches its high point on Sunday, November 15, transitioning from morning specialized investment and digital economy panels at the Sofitel to the Official Opening Ceremony held at the Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center (Koh Pich). Presided over by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and H.E. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France, the ceremony will feature keynote addresses outlining each nation’s economic vision, regional cooperation frameworks, and long-term private-sector investment initiatives. Further remarks will be delivered by H.E. Chea Vandeth, Minister of Post and Telecommunications, alongside Neak Oknha Kith Meng, President of Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ASEAN Business Advisory Council Cambodia and Mr. Ahmed Cissé, President of APF.
Journalists, correspondents, photographers, and broadcast crews wishing to cover the proceedings must submit their accreditation requests to the CCC Secretariat by November 8, 2026 via QR code or link https://forms.gle/YnNT6fWBTvwxTtc79.
