Yaoundé set to host 400 delegates for 51st APF session

Organising committee chair Hilarion Etong outlined preparations and key highlights at a press briefing.

Cameroon is preparing to welcome the 51st session of the Assemblée parlementaire de la francophonie (APF) in two weeks. Ahead of this major intercontinental event, the organising committee—composed of members from both chambers of Cameroon’s parliament—has revealed the main details. At a press conference on Thursday, it was announced that the country expects over 300 delegates, including around ten heads of parliamentary chambers and 80 young participants.

Participants will travel from all four APF regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. Notable attendees include Amelia Lakrafi, General Delegate of the APF, and Louise Mouchoukiwabo, Secretary General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Registration currently stands at 275 personalities.

The organising committee, set up in January 2026, is now fully operational. It is chaired by Deputy Hilarion Etong, head of the Cameroonian APF section, APF president, and first vice-president of the National Assembly. With members from the Senate and the National Assembly, it includes 17 sub-committees covering all aspects of the meeting. For accommodation and hospitality, eight hotels of various categories have been booked.

The proceedings will revolve around two main themes: “Multilateralism and State Sovereignty” and “Francophone Parliaments Facing Climate Change in a Changing, Development-Seeking World.” On the first theme, participants will discuss rising protectionism and the ability of francophone states to act collectively against terrorism, migration flows, and democratic instability. The second theme gives parliamentarians a platform to voice concerns and turn climate agreements into national laws.

The session programme includes an APF bureau meeting on 7 July 2026, followed by meetings of the youth network and women parliamentarians on 8 July. That same day, bureau members will take an excursion to Nachtigal. On 9 July, the four standing APF commissions will meet, leading to the solemn opening ceremony on 10 July. Work will continue until the closing on Saturday, 11 July 2026.