Yaoundé prepares to host the 51st APF session with hundreds of delegates expected

Organizing committee head Hilarion Etong outlines the framework for the upcoming intercontinental summit

Cameroon is set to become the focal point of Francophone diplomacy as it prepares to host the 51st session of the Assemblée parlementaire de la francophonie (APF) in two weeks. During a press briefing this Thursday, the organizing committee—comprising representatives from both houses of the Cameroonian parliament—shared the primary objectives and logistical updates for the event. The nation is preparing to welcome over 300 delegates, including ten parliamentary leaders and 80 youth representatives.

Participants will travel from the four main regions of the APF: Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. High-profile attendees will include Louise Mouchoukiwabo, the Secretary General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, and Amelia Lakrafi, the APF General Delegate. To date, registration numbers have already reached 275 participants.

The organizing body, established in January 2026, remains fully engaged in its mission. It is chaired by Hilarion Etong, who serves as the President of the APF, head of the Cameroonian section, and First Vice-President of the National Assembly. This joint committee of the Senate and the National Assembly operates through 17 specialized sub-committees managing all aspects of the gathering. Regarding logistics, eight hotels across various categories have been secured to accommodate the visiting officials.

The upcoming debates will center on two pivotal themes: “Multilateralism and State Sovereignty” and “Francophone Parliaments Facing Climate Change in a Changing World Seeking Development.” The first topic will address the rise of protectionism and the collective ability of Francophone nations to tackle terrorism, migration trends, and democratic instability. The second theme aims to empower parliamentarians to translate international climate commitments into concrete national legislation.

The official schedule begins on July 7, 2026, with a meeting of the APF Bureau. This will be followed by sessions for the youth and women parliamentarians’ networks on July 8. On that same day, Bureau members are scheduled for an excursion to Nachtigal. On July 9, the four permanent commissions will convene ahead of the formal opening ceremony on July 10. The session will conclude its work on Saturday, July 11, 2026.