AKP Phnom Penh, April 20, 2026 --

Cambodia and Canada have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen and expand bilateral relations and cooperation, with a focus on trade, investment, and economic ties.

The commitment was made during a meeting between Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and H.E. Christian DesRoches, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Cambodia, at the Peace Palace on Monday morning.

During the meeting, Ambassador DesRoches praised the long-standing diplomatic relations between the two countries and highlighted the steady progress of bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and Canadian investment in Cambodia. He reiterated Canada’s determination to deepen cooperation with Cambodia in key sectors.

The Ambassador also reaffirmed Canada’s support for Cambodia as host of the 20th Francophonie Summit later this year, noting that a high-level Canadian delegation would attend the event. He further thanked Cambodia for supporting enhanced Canada-ASEAN cooperation, including ongoing negotiations on the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to be concluded and signed in the near future.

In response, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet congratulated Ambassador DesRoches on his appointment and expressed confidence that bilateral ties would continue to grow stronger during his diplomatic tenure. He also thanked Canada for its significant contributions to Cambodia’s peace process and socio-economic reconstruction and development.

The Prime Minister highlighted the important role of the Cambodian community in Canada in promoting closer people-to-people and economic links between the two nations. He noted that Cambodia has encouraged the Ministry of Commerce and the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce to establish a representative office in Canada to help expand trade and investment opportunities.

Both sides also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in other priority areas, including defence and security, as well as combating transnational crime. Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia’s readiness to continue strengthening cooperation with Canada at both bilateral and international levels.

By C. Nika