PHNOM PENH — Cambodia and Brazil have entered a new phase of diplomatic cooperation aimed at transforming the landscape for female entrepreneurs and gender-based policy. On Friday, February 6, 2026, Minister of Women’s Affairs H.E. Dr. Ing Kantha Phavi hosted the Brazilian Ambassador, H.E. Vivian Loss Sanmartin, to finalize a framework for women’s economic empowerment and the UN-backed “Women, Peace and Security” agenda.
According to AKP, this meeting marks the first major bilateral initiative since Brazil opened its resident embassy in Phnom Penh in late 2024. The partnership is designed to bridge the gap between Southeast Asian and South American markets by focusing on high-growth sectors like food processing and SME leadership.
Cambodia-Brazil Gender Framework
- Economic Linkages: Formalizing networks between women-led SMEs in Cambodia and Brazil.
- Technical Training: Special focus on knowledge transfer in the food processing sector.
- Governance: Integrating “gender mainstreaming” into national development strategies.
- Education & Safety: Joint strategies to improve girls’ access to schooling and combat gender-based violence.
- Diplomatic Expansion: Strengthening ties with Brazil, a major G20 economy, as a key partner in the Global South.
Why This Matters to the West (US & UK)
For international development agencies and NGOs in the US and UK, the Cambodia-Brazil partnership is a significant indicator of “South-South Cooperation.” According to AKP, the focus on Women, Peace and Security aligns directly with Western democratic values and global human rights standards. This cooperation proves that Cambodia is successfully adopting international best practices to foster a more inclusive and stable economy, making it a more attractive partner for Western “socially responsible” investors.
The SME Multiplier Effect Under the Hun Manet administration, empowering female-led businesses is viewed as a prerequisite for achieving the 2030 upper-middle-income status. By partnering with Brazil—a global leader in agribusiness and food tech—Cambodia is giving its female entrepreneurs the technical tools to move from basic farming to high-value manufacturing.
FAQ: Cambodia Brazil gender equality cooperation 2026
Brazil is a major global player in food processing and technical training. Since opening its embassy in late 2024, Brazil has sought to share its policy expertise with Cambodia to support local development.
It is a strategy to ensure that the concerns and experiences of both women and men are an integral part of the design and implementation of policies in all political, economic, and societal spheres.
According to AKP, the training allows women-led SMEs to add value to their raw agricultural products, allowing them to earn higher profits and reach international export markets.