Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Cambodia is currently serving as the host nation for the 28th Francophone Group Central Bank Governors Conference, a significant international gathering taking place in its capital city. This influential three-day conference, which commenced on May 28th, is centered around the timely and critical theme: ‘Central bank autonomy in front of state and public expectations.’
This marks a notable occasion as it is the third time Cambodia has had the esteemed honor of hosting this international meeting. Previously, the nation welcomed delegates for this conference in 1996 and again in 2011. The core purpose of this year’s gathering is to facilitate in-depth discussions and the exchange of key perspectives on the appropriate extent of central bank autonomy, particularly within a global context defined by rapid developments and evolving economic landscapes.
The conference has convened with the distinguished presence of Ms. Chea Serey, the Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia. Keynote addresses were delivered by prominent international financial leaders, including Mr. François Villeroy de Galhau, the Governor of the Bank of France (Banque de France), and Ms. Christine Lagarde, the esteemed President of the European Central Bank, highlighting the high-level nature and global importance of the discussions.
According to an official press release from the National Bank of Cambodia, the conference has brought together central bank governors from 26 Francophone countries. These influential participants represent a broad geographical spectrum, encompassing Europe, the United States, various nations across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific, underscoring the widespread relevance and international collaboration fostered by the event.
The Central Bank Governors Conference of French-Speaking Countries was established in 1994, an initiative led by the Bank of France. Its consistent mission has been to provide an annual forum dedicated to fostering conversation and facilitating the exchange of experiences related to critical economic, monetary, and financial topics. The National Bank of Cambodia has affirmed that this conference is also significantly contributing to the promotion of enhanced cooperation among central banks, particularly strengthening ties within the Francophone network, which is vital for global financial stability and shared understanding.
