PHNOM PENH: On February 5, 2026, H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a high-level bilateral meeting with H.E. Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia. The talks reinforced a “trusted partnership” characterized by deep cooperation in regional security, trade, and the ongoing humanitarian situation at the Cambodia-Thailand border.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Mutual Benefit
During the meeting, H.E. Prak Sokhonn expressed significant satisfaction with the trajectory of Cambodia-Australia relations. He highlighted Australia’s role as a pivotal partner across several key domains:
- Trade and Investment: Building on a 2025 bilateral trade volume of approximately $600 million.
- Defense and Security: Including recent high-profile naval visits and joint efforts in regional stability.
- Human Capital: Leveraging the Australia-Cambodia Development Partnership Plan 2025–2029, which aligns with Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the necessity of maintaining regular Senior Officials’ Talks to elevate the partnership to a higher strategic level in the coming years.
Australia Praises Crackdown on Online Scams
Ambassador Derek Yip highly commended the Royal Government of Cambodia for its recent successes in combating transnational online scam networks. This recognition comes on the heels of massive operations in early 2026 that saw over 2,500 suspects detained across 190 locations.
The Ambassador reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to providing technical expertise and support to further dismantle these criminal syndicates, which pose a significant threat to digital security and human rights in the region.
De-escalating the Cambodia-Thailand Border Situation
A critical portion of the briefing focused on the volatile situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border. Following reports of military provocations earlier in the week, H.E. Prak Sokhonn reassured the international community of Cambodia’s commitment to:
- Upholding the December 27 Ceasefire: Adhering to the peace plan brokered by regional and international partners.
- Peaceful Resolution: Refraining from any military actions that could lead to further loss of life.
- Humanitarian Access: Addressing the needs of the approximately 140,000 citizens who remain displaced or affected by the border tensions.
Ambassador Yip acknowledged the briefing and reiterated Australia’s support for a peaceful, rules-based resolution to territorial disputes in accordance with international law.
FAQ: Cambodia-Australia Bilateral Meeting 2026
This trust is rooted in over 70 years of diplomatic relations and Australia’s consistent support for Cambodia’s nation-building efforts, providing approximately AUD 2 billion in development aid since the 1990s.
Cooperation includes intelligence sharing between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Cambodian authorities, as well as capacity-building workshops for local law enforcement to track digital fraud and human trafficking rings.
While a ceasefire agreement was signed on December 27, 2025, a recent meeting on February 5, 2026, ended without a new agreement. Cambodia remains committed to the initial ceasefire to prevent armed escalation.