The organising committee, led by its chairman MP Hilarion Etong, provided an update on preparations and outlined the main features of the event during a press briefing.

Cameroon is set to welcome the 51st session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie in two weeks. Ahead of this major intercontinental gathering, the organising committee – composed of members from both chambers of Cameroon’s parliament – has unveiled the key highlights of the event. Following a press conference on Thursday, it emerged that the country expects more than 300 delegates, including about ten heads of parliamentary chambers and 80 young participants.

They will come from the APF’s four regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. Among the expected dignitaries are Amelia Lakrafi, the APF’s secretary general, and Louise Mouchoukiwabo, secretary general of the International Organisation of the Francophonie. The registration counter already shows 275 confirmed participants.

The organising committee, established in January 2026, is hard at work and continues its mission. It is chaired by MP Hilarion Etong, president of Cameroon’s APF section, president of the APF, and first vice-president of the National Assembly. Made up of members from the Senate and the National Assembly, it includes 17 sub-committees covering all areas related to organising this meeting. In terms of reception and accommodation, eight hotels of various standards have been reserved.

The sessions will focus on two major themes: “Multilateralism and state sovereignty” and “Francophone parliaments facing climate change in a changing world in search of development”. Regarding the first theme, participants will discuss the rise of protectionism and the ability of francophone states to act together against terrorism, migratory flows, or democratic instability. The second theme offers parliamentarians the opportunity to make their voices heard and transform climate agreements into national laws.

The session programme includes a meeting of the APF bureau on 7 July 2026, followed by meetings of the youth network and the network of women parliamentarians on 8 July. On the same day, members of the APF bureau will go on an excursion to Nachtigal. On 9 July, the APF’s four permanent commissions will hold meetings before the formal opening of the session on 10 July. The work will continue and conclude on Saturday 11 July 2026.