Monaco takes part in the first-ever hearing of candidates for the post of Secretary-General of La Francophonie

On 29 June 2026, the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie (CMF) was held in Paris. For the first time since the establishment of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), the Conference brought together its Member States and Governments to hear the four candidates for the post of Secretary-General of La Francophonie for the 2027–2030 term.

The Principality of Monaco was represented by Isabelle BERRO-AMADEÏ, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, accompanied by H.E. Valérie BRUELL-MELCHIOR, Ambassador and Personal Representative of Monaco to the OIF.

Chaired by H.E. Sokhonn PRAK, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the delegations heard presentations from the candidates: Dr Coumba BA (Mauritania), Dacian CIOLOȘ (Romania), Juliana AMATO LUMUMBA (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Louise MUSHIKIWABO (Rwanda), who has served as Secretary-General since 2019.

The hearing forms part of a renewed procedural framework. Since the reform adopted in 2022, the process for appointing the Secretary-General has been based on an open call for applications. The office of Secretary-General, created at the Hanoi Summit in 1997, was first held by Boutros BOUTROS-GHALI, who was elected to the post.

The next Secretary-General of La Francophonie will be elected by the Heads of State and Government with full membership status at the 20th Summit of La Francophonie, to be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 15 and 16 November 2026.