Presidential

Nathalie Roy Elected APF Chair : As 51st Parliamentary Assembly Closes In Yaounde

By Kimeng Hilton
14 Jul 2026 05:22
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Québec’s National Assembly President succeeds Cameroon’s Hilarion Etong after a two-year mandate.

The 51st Session of the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly, APF officially closed in the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde on July 11, 2026. The ceremony in the Paul Biya Glass Palace (the National Assembly) was another milestone for parliamentary diplomacy in the Francophone world.

The closing ceremony was led by His Majesty Aboubakary Abdoulaye, President of the Senate of Cameroon. Who delivered a comprehensive address celebrating the session's programmatic milestones, calling for reinforced international cooperation.

Nathalie Roy, New APF Chair

The high-profile event drew an array of prominent figures, including the Speaker of the National Assembly of Cameroon, the Head of Government and Prime Minister, judicial leaders, international diplomats, and civil society representatives. A key highlight of the assembly was the election of Québec’s National Assembly Speaker, Nathalie Roy, to the prestigious post of APF President. She succeeds Cameroon’s Hilarion Etong after his exemplary two-year mandate.

Tribute To Hilarion Etong

"Your track record, which serves as a legacy, will contribute to the influence of the values that constitute the very essence of the Francophone community," Senate President Aboubakary Abdoulaye noted while paying tribute to Etong's collaborative leadership.

Burning Global Dilemmas

The summit centered on two highly critical themes of current global affairs: "Multilateralism and State Sovereignty" and "Climate Change: The role of Francophone Parliaments in the face of this phenomenon in a changing world in quest of development."

Attacks On Multilateral Frameworks

Addressing the assembly, His Majesty Aboubakary Abdoulaye highlighted the growing global anxieties surrounding unfair distribution of wealth, persistent conflicts, and recurring attacks on multilateral frameworks that traditionally safeguard world peace.

He further stressed the distinct vulnerability of countries in the Global South. Noting a critical "deficit of solidarity" from the international community in tackling the accelerating threats of climate change.

Dialogue Over Confrontation

Echoing the famous stance of Cameroon's Head of State, President Paul Biya - who was heavily credited as the main architect behind the event's logistics and execution - the Senate President described parliamentarians as "beggars of peace." He insisted that APF has an obligation to champion inclusive, egalitarian dialogue over confrontation.