The 51st session of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie – APF is underway in Yaounde. Officially commenced on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the Paul Biya Glass House, the opening session began with an institutional meeting of the APF Bureau members, chaired by Hon. Hilarion Etong, who serves as both the President of the APF and the Senior Vice President of Cameroon’s National Assembly.
Running from July 7 to July 12, 2026, this major diplomatic event is drawing nearly 400 parliamentarians, institutional leaders, and roughly 100 youth delegates representing about 100 Francophonie parliaments.
In his inaugural address, Hon. Etong extended a warm message of friendship and solidarity to the visiting international delegations on behalf of Cameroon’s bicameral parliament. He noted that the prestigious gathering was made possible by the official authorization of Cameroon’s Head of State, President Paul Biya, on December 6, 2020. Hon. Etong used the opportunity to track Cameroon’s rich history with the international body, noting that the country officially joined the International Organisation of La Francophonie in 1991 and the Parliamentary Assembly itself in 1995.
A primary focus of his speech was the urgent need to advocate for a fairer global economic and environmental order, particularly in an era defined by geopolitical uncertainties and international tensions. He framed the APF as a critical bridge for North-South dialogue and urged lawmakers to translate core Francophone values into concrete policies. He emphasized that actionable steps must be taken to address pressing global issues, including the digital transition, migration, and the empowerment of youth.
The launch event at the Paul Biya Glass Palace combined high-level state protocol with a vibrant celebration of local culture, featuring traditional dances and artistic performances. In the second part of the opening day, Hon. Etong pivoted the focus back to official state business, steering the Bureau members through initial organizational matters. The opening day was aimed at reviewing the essential files and agendas that will be debated upon by the various bodies of the Parliamentary Assembly as the session progresses.
A key highlight of the proceedings was Cameroon’s unique position as a bilingual nation, which Hon. Etong described as a valuable asset for the wider Francophone community. He pointed out that Cameroon’s peaceful management of linguistic diversity serves as an exemplary model of how the French language can foster unity alongside other national languages. He reiterated that La Francophonie is a transnational community designed to transcend rigid state borders to actively connect distinct cultures, people, and contemporary ideas.
As a crucial consultative branch of La Francophonie, the APF commands a massive global network that includes 61 member sections, 18 associate sections, and 20 observer sections. The diverse delegation of hundreds of lawmakers currently in Yaounde plan to use the five-day summit to construct tangible, collaborative frameworks. The ultimate objective of the deliberations is to yield firm, enforceable commitments that will advance democracy, preserve peace, and strengthen solidarity across all French-speaking nations.
