Arab Finance: Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi represented President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the opening of the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, discussing opportunities to strengthen oil and gas cooperation with international leaders and officials, as per a statement.

Taking place from November 14 to 16, the summit brings together leaders and government representatives from the 90 states and governments belonging to the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

Leading the Egyptian delegation to the summit, Badawi was received on arrival by Prak Sokhonn, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni opened the summit in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and OIF Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo.

The summit’s theme "Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability" emphasizes cooperation and solidarity among members, alongside joint efforts to advance peace, stability, and sustainable development. Cambodia assumed the summit’s rotating presidency from France for a two-year term until the next gathering in 2028.

During the thematic plenary sessions and closed-door meetings, Badawi is scheduled to present Egypt’s positions on the issues under discussion and outline its efforts to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development. He will also emphasize the importance of making fuller use of the OIF’s cooperation mechanisms and opportunities for joint action.

Alongside the opening proceedings, Badawi held meetings and informal discussions with state leaders, heads of government, and senior officials on bilateral relations, with particular attention to the oil and gas sectors.

In his meeting with Macron, Badawi conveyed El-Sisi’s greetings and highlighted the longstanding partnership between Egypt and France across several fields. The discussion covered continued coordination and consultation, broader bilateral cooperation, and the use of OIF frameworks to encourage dialogue and collaboration among members.

The minister also met Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Morocco’s Prime Minister. They underscored the historic and close ties between Egypt and Morocco and considered ways to build on existing cooperation across various sectors, particularly energy, oil, and gas.

Badawi’s meetings on the sidelines of the summit also included Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).