Highlighting “Global Digital Public Goods”

During the session, Minister Chea Vandeth briefed the ASEAN chief on the Kingdom’s rapid digital transformation. The discussion centered on two flagship platforms that have gained international attention:

• VERIFY.GOV.KH: This government document verification system has been officially recognized as a Global Digital Public Good. The Minister noted that neighboring countries have already expressed interest in adopting this technology to combat document forgery.
• DG SuperApp: An integrated platform designed to consolidate digital public services, making government interactions more efficient for citizens.

Dr. Kao Kim Hourn lauded these advancements, specifically voicing support for sharing these Cambodian-made solutions with other ASEAN member states and dialogue partners to foster a more synchronized regional digital ecosystem.

Strengthening Grassroots Literacy and AI Frameworks

The talks extended beyond high-level software to include infrastructure and human capital:

1. Community Technology Centres (CTCs): Both officials emphasized the importance of expanding these centers to bridge the digital divide and improve literacy at the grassroots level.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI): The leaders discussed joint work on AI frameworks to ensure ethical and productive adoption across Southeast Asia.
3. Cybersecurity: Collaborative efforts were reaffirmed to protect the region’s growing digital economy from transnational threats.

Road to the ASEAN Digital Technology Exhibition

The meeting served as a precursor to the Cambodia-ASEAN Business Summit 2026. Minister Chea Vandeth and Dr. Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation between the Ministry and the ASEAN Secretariat, particularly in preparing for the forthcoming ASEAN Digital Technology Exhibition.

For foreign investors and tech firms, this alignment signals that Cambodia is not only consuming digital technology but is emerging as a regional provider of digital governance tools.

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The visit, scheduled for mid-February, is aimed at restoring international confidence and highlighting Cambodia as a secure destination for foreign investment, officials said.

The announcement followed a meeting in Seoul between Cambodia’s ambassador to South Korea, Khuon Phon Rattanak, and Park Joo-bong, chairman of South Korea’s Daejoo KC Group.

During the meeting, Ambassador Rattanak briefed the South Korean side on bilateral relations, including cooperation in trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. He also outlined efforts by the Royal Government of Cambodia to repair the country’s international image after a surge in reported cases of online scams and cybercrime over the past year.

“The embassy has been actively engaging with South Korean media to ensure accurate reporting on the situation in Cambodia,” Ambassador Rattanak said, adding that the government has stepped up enforcement to suppress online crime and improve security for investors and visitors.

The delegation, led by Mr Park, will comprise about 20 members, including representatives from South Korean media outlets. Officials said the inclusion of journalists is intended to provide a transparent, firsthand assessment of Cambodia’s security conditions.

Mr Park welcomed Cambodia’s cooperation in addressing transnational crime, saying South Korea continues to view Cambodia as an important regional partner.

“This visit will allow investors to see the investment environment firsthand,” he said. “The media will then be able to report on the actual conditions on the ground and provide a clearer picture to the Korean public.”

The Cambodian Embassy in Seoul said it is coordinating with relevant ministries in Phnom Penh to arrange meetings between the delegation and senior government officials during the visit.

FAQs

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Should the Thai Defence Minister reach an agreement with his Cambodian counterpart, the two nations intend to finalize a deal based on the previous pact brokered by US President Donald Trump following the initial round of hostilities in July. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized the necessity of mutual commitment, telling reporters in Bangkok that both sides must uphold promises to end threats, provocations, and instigations to successfully reduce hostility.

While a spokesperson for the Cambodian Defence Ministry did not immediately comment, officials from both countries have been holding talks at a border crossing since Wednesday. The conflict has taken a severe human toll since the previous ceasefire collapsed in early December, resulting in at least 98 deaths and displacing over 500,000 people.

International mediation efforts have intensified as the fighting persists. Neither Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as the ASEAN chair, nor President Trump has yet succeeded in halting the current wave of violence. Additionally, Beijing has increased pressure on both sides, with China’s special envoy for Asian affairs, Deng Xijun, conducting recent diplomatic missions to both Bangkok and Phnom Penh.

“I hope that this time will be the last time to sign such an agreement, so that there will be peace in the area and people can return to their homes,” Anutin stated, reflecting the urgency of the situation. The long-standing dispute over sections of the 817km land border has now expanded into a broad conflict stretching from the forested regions near Laos to various coastal provinces.

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) has forcefully debunked “false information” circulating on the official Thai 2nd Army Area page and select Thai media outlets. These outlets falsely claimed that Cambodia initiated firing and moved heavy weapons along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

The MND, through its Spokeswoman, H.E. Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, stated that the dissemination of this misinformation is a clear attempt to mislead public opinion and create a pretext for military escalation.

I. Fact Check: Thailand Started the Dec. 8 Hostilities

The Cambodian government directly contradicted the Thai narrative, identifying Thailand as the aggressor in this latest escalation:

• Timeline: Thai military forces initiated the attack against Cambodian personnel early this morning, December 8, 2025, starting at approximately 5:00 AM.
• Intent to Provoke: This unprovoked morning attack followed countless provocative actions by the Thai military over several days, notably the incident yesterday at Prorlean Thmar. The MND confirms these actions clearly intended to incite armed conflict.
• Official Denial: The claim that Cambodia opened fire first or utilized heavy weapons along the border is untrue.

II. Cambodia’s Strategic Non-Retaliation

Despite facing a second direct attack in 24 hours, Cambodia emphasized its commitment to de-escalation:

• Upholding Agreements: Cambodian forces did not return fire during this second incident, standing firm on the spirit of respecting all agreed-upon ceasefire agreements and resolving disputes peacefully according to international law.
• Vigilant Monitoring: Cambodia’s military forces are maintaining the utmost caution, continuously monitoring the border’s evolving situation.

III. Diplomatic Measures: AOT Investigation Requested

To ensure transparency and seek justice, Cambodia is pursuing immediate diplomatic channels:

• Second ASEAN Alert: Cambodia has officially notified the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) for the second time about a deliberate attack on its forces.
• Demand for Probe: Cambodia plans to formally request that the AOT urgently deploy to the locations to conduct a comprehensive investigation, which will help establish the truth and ensure accountability.

[Unofficial English Translation] Press Release from the Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia.

READ MORE:

• Urgent: Cambodia Reports Second Attack by Thai Forces, Demands International Condemnation
• Cambodia Denies Thai Army Claims of Troop and Weapon Build-Up Near Border
• Breaking News: Cambodia Reports Attack by Thai Forces, Demands ASEAN Investigation

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The Ministry of National Defence (MND) today released an urgent statement detailing a serious cross-border security incident along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

Her Excellency Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Under Secretary of State and Spokeswoman for the Ministry of National Defence, confirmed the situation, emphasizing Cambodia’s commitment to de-escalation.

I. Timeline of the Cross-Border Attack

Thai Military Forces Open Fire

At approximately 02:15 PM (local time) today, Thai military forces initiated an attack against Cambodian border positions. The incident occurred in the Prorlean Thmar area of Choam Kshant District, Preah Vihear Province.

• Weapons Used: The Ministry confirmed that the Thai forces employed various weapons, including handguns, machine guns (B40), and 60mm mortars.

Cambodian forces immediately contacted the Thai side, urging them to cease the firing instantly. The Thai military forces subsequently stopped firing at 02:32 PM.

II. Cambodia’s Response: Non-Retaliation and Diplomatic Action

Maintaining Ceasefire and Vigilance

The Ministry of National Defence stressed that Cambodian forces did not retaliate at all during the incident, upholding the established ceasefire protocols. Cambodian troops are currently maintaining maximum caution and vigilance while closely monitoring the sensitive border situation.

To ensure transparency and accountability, Cambodia has launched immediate diplomatic and legal steps:

• ASEAN Notification: Cambodia has already informed the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) about the incident.
• Request for Investigation: The Cambodian government plans to formally request the AOT to conduct a full and transparent investigation into the matter.

III. Reaffirming Commitment to International Law

Peaceful Resolution is the Only Path

On this occasion, Cambodia firmly reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to peaceful resolution and existing international agreements, stressing the importance of border security protocols.

“Cambodia reaffirms its firm commitment to respecting and implementing all conditions of the ceasefire and the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand, with goodwill and the highest sense of responsibility,” stated Lt. Gen. Socheata.

Cambodia stressed that it firmly adheres to resolving all disputes through peaceful means—in accordance with international law, existing treaties, conventions, and agreements. The nation reiterates its stance against resorting to acts of aggression or the use of force, seeking instead a solution that is just, fair, and long-lasting under international law.

The public and media are advised to stay informed through official government statements from the Ministry of National Defence.

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Malaysian Delegation:

• General Tan Sri Hj Mohd Nizam bin Hj Jaffar, Chief of Defence Forces of Malaysia

This meeting is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and Malaysia in the areas of defense, security, and the exchange of military experience between the two ASEAN nations’ armed forces.

The outcomes of this discussion will be reported to the public shortly.

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Historic Milestone: Brazil’s First Resident Ambassador to Cambodia

Prime Minister Hun Manet received Ambassador H.E. Ms. Vivian Loss Sanmartin of the Federative Republic of Brazil for a working meeting and courtesy call at the Peace Palace on Tuesday.

Ambassador Sanmartin expressed her honor at being appointed as Brazil’s first resident ambassador to Cambodia. She called the new embassy opening a historic milestone in the two nations’ more than three decades of diplomatic relations.

Growing Mutual Trust and Engagement

She commended the consistent progress in bilateral cooperation and noted that the reciprocal establishment of embassies reflects growing mutual trust and engagement. The Ambassador pledged to work closely with Cambodian partners to deepen and broaden cooperation across various fields during her tenure.

In response, Prime Minister Hun Manet warmly welcomed Ambassador Sanmartin and congratulated her on her appointment. He echoed her confidence in the future, stating that the mutual establishment of diplomatic missions would ensure bilateral ties and cooperation continue to deepen and expand.

Priority Sectors for Expanded Brazil-Cambodia Partnership

The Cambodian Prime Minister and the Brazilian envoy exchanged views on advancing cooperation in several key areas.

Both sides stressed the critical role of fostering stronger private-sector linkages.

Key Areas for Future Cooperation

The areas targeted for enhanced collaboration include:

• Economy and Trade
• Education and Health
• Agriculture and Environment
• Renewable Energy
• Security

Brazil Gains ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner Status

Additionally, Ambassador Sanmartin thanked Cambodia for its support in Brazil’s designation as an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner. This status formalizes a cooperation mechanism in practical areas like trade, technology, and food security.

Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to evolving the Cambodia-Brazil relationship toward a more dynamic, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial partnership.

PM Hun Manet Encourages Tangible Benefits

The Prime Minister encouraged the ambassador to maintain close coordination with relevant Cambodian ministries and institutions. This step will ensure that joint initiatives produce tangible and lasting benefits for both countries.

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Cambodia’s Focus

During the meeting on November 20th, Minister Vanndy emphasized the crucial part that businesses run by women play. He stated that “women’s entrepreneurship is essential to building an economy that is strong, includes everyone, and is ready for the future.”

He welcomed the support the BRICS WBA gives to the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) and their increasing interest in working with Cambodia.

BRICS’s Vision

Ms. Nesterova praised Cambodia’s quick development and beauty, and shared updates from her meetings with the country’s tourism sector. She confirmed that the BRICS WBA is a platform focused purely on business and creativity, not politics, covering areas like:

• Creative industries
• Tourism
• Agriculture
• Finance
• Technology and science

She also highlighted several key initiatives, including:

• The annual WBA Summit.
• The Women Startup Contest.
• Future plans to start a Women Business Allocation Fund and open more regional offices across ASEAN, including in Cambodia.

What is BRICS?

The BRICS group is an international organization made up of major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It has since expanded to include other partner countries. The group works together to promote trade, investment, innovation, and development that benefits everyone in their member and partner countries.

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This afternoon, Prime Minister Hun Manet had a phone chat with Anwar Ibrahim, who is Malaysia’s Prime Minister and also the current ASEAN Chair for 2025.

PM Hun Manet went straight to social media to share what they talked about: “I had a telephone discussion with His Excellency Anwar Ibrahim… We talked about continuing to find a peaceful way to solve the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict. I gave a huge thanks to His Excellency Anwar for continuing to play a key and active role in helping us find a peaceful solution between Cambodia and Thailand.”

The PM was super clear about Cambodia’s stance, too: we’re still totally committed to fixing the border issues without fighting. We’re going to use the official channels and agreements that are already in place, especially the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration (from October 26, 2025). The goal is to end the conflict and build peace.

Why the Urgent Call?

This call comes right after that terrible incident on November 12th, when Thai military forces shot at innocent Cambodian civilians in a village near the border. Sadly, that shooting killed one person and injured three others.

Cambodia is absolutely furious and strongly condemns this “inhumane and brutal act.” The PM stressed that this shooting is a clear violation of a bunch of big rules: Cambodia’s sovereignty, international law, the UN Charter, and the ASEAN Charter. Crucially, it violates that same Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration that the PMs of Cambodia and Thailand signed, which even had President Donald Trump and PM Anwar Ibrahim there as witnesses!

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Prior to the public announcement, the leaders of all ten ASEAN member states, along with the representative of Timor-Leste, signed the official document of recognition, formally admitting Timor-Leste as the 11th member of the regional bloc.

Note on Current Membership: ASEAN is a regional organization comprising ten Southeast Asian nations: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Cambodia was the last country to join the bloc on April 30, 1999.

The Role of a Cambodian Statesman: The long-standing effort to recognize Timor-Leste as a full member has highlighted the significant role played by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the former Prime Minister and current President of the Senate of Cambodia. Samdech Techo’s persistent efforts, long-term political vision, and resolute diplomatic commitment were crucial factors that actively contributed to helping Timor-Leste realize its long-cherished ambition of becoming the 11th ASEAN member state.

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