French ambassador Jacques Pellet speaks to journalists at the French embassy on May 5. Hong Raksmey
Cambodia is making waves on the global stage as the number one country in Asia for receiving international volunteers from French organisation France Volontaires, and the second-largest host worldwide, according to a statement by Jacques Pellet, French ambassador to Cambodia.
During a May 5 press briefing with local media institutes at the French Embassy, Pellet dropped the impressive stat: 223 volunteers arrived in Cambodia in 2024 through France Volontaires, a programme that champions international cooperation through public service.
These volunteers are contributing to key sectors like Francophonie, healthcare and education — areas that are central to Cambodia’s sustainable development.
“This level of volunteer engagement is a big flex for Cambodia,” said Pellet.
“It shows how open and ready the country is to collaborate internationally, especially with France,” he added.
And it's not just a one-way street — since 2016, 33 Cambodian volunteers have also headed to France, taking part in exchange programmes that build soft power, mutual understanding and exceptional LinkedIn profiles.
Levelling up: Education and scholarships
Pellet also highlighted France’s ongoing commitment to education in Cambodia. Since 2014, 1,200 Cambodian students have pursued studies in France.
“Right now, around 800 Cambodian students are enrolled in French institutions, with 170 receiving scholarships — a solid nod to academic diplomacy,” he said.
Coming in 2025, the French Embassy is rolling out 60 “France Excellence” scholarships, with some co-financed by Cambodian partners.
This move is aimed at encouraging more Cambodian youth to level up their knowledge and career prospects by studying abroad.
The Francophonie vibe is strong
French isn't just surviving in Cambodia — it's thriving. 25,000 students are studying French in public schools, and 3,000 of those are enrolled in bilingual French-Khmer programs.
“Meanwhile, the French Institute in Cambodia (IFC) clocked 10,000 students in 2024, up a massive 30 per cent from last year,” said Pellet.
To boost language education further, the embassy has been pushing a project since 2023 that supports French teachers.
So far, Pellet said, 350 teachers have received training in France, around Asia-Pacific and in Cambodia.
“Looking ahead, the project is set to grow even more in 2025–2026 with a €1 million ($1.12 million) investment tied to the upcoming Francophonie Summit in 2026,” he added.
