Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has engaged in fruitful meetings with foreign dignitaries and business leaders during his trip to New York from Sept. 21 to 24 to attend the General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, according to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation AKP received this evening.
According to the source, Samdech Thipadei’s discussion with Acting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland focused on bilateral cooperation, including a programme to repatriate Cambodian nationals from the United States. According to Acting Deputy Secretary Nuland, the United States will resume US$18 million in assistance to Cambodia through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The assistance was previously paused after the July elections.
Addressing a USA-Cambodia Business Forum attended by some 80 American business leaders, Samdech Thipadei showcased the opportunities and economic potential of Cambodia, as well as government support for business in the Kingdom.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended Cambodia’s socio-economic policies, particularly the alignment of the Pentagonal Strategy with the SDGs. He expressed gratitude for the Kingdom’s active role in UN peacekeeping missions, and reiterated the UN’s continued support for Cambodia’s sustainable development. Samdech Thipadei reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to building a society based on the rule of law in accordance with the Constitution. Cambodia’s renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia demonstrates the government’s goodwill and determination to promote and foster human rights.
Samdech Thipadei’s meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong identified areas of cooperation to support Cambodia’s socio-economic development, including education, training, trade and investment. Minister Wong assured the Prime Minister of continued support and collaboration from the Australian government.
Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta requested Cambodia’s continued experience-sharing and support in becoming the Eleventh Member of ASEAN. Both leaders discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in tourism, agriculture and people-to-people connectivity.
In a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Samdech Thipadei stressed the benefits of finalising the bilateral investment treaty between Cambodia and India. They discussed partnerships and potential cooperation in security, defence, tourism, and culture with a focus on innovative conservation projects, leveraging the deep historical ties binding Cambodia and India.
Samdech Thipadei also met Global President of Emerging Markets Nick Lagunowich at Pfizer Inc, who conveyed the pharmaceutical company’s intention to bolster Cambodia’s public health system. The Prime Minister welcomed the initiative, encouraging Pfizer to explore investment and business opportunities in Cambodia and sustain dialogues with key stakeholders, especially the Ministry of Health.
