AKP Phnom Penh, June 19, 2026 --

The U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, in partnership with the Regional English Language Office in Hanoi and The Asia Foundation, officially opened the 2026 Regional English Access Summit in Siem Reap on Thursday – a flagship event marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Under the banner "Rethinking Education," the three-day gathering unites English Access Scholarship recipients and educators from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam with U.S.-based educational experts. The summit is designed to forge lasting regional networks, sharpen language proficiency, and cultivate next-generation leadership skills through intensive, hands-on workshops rooted in American teaching methodologies.

The opening ceremony featured Charge d'Affaires Mr. Benjamin Chiang and Dr. Som Ratana, Undersecretary of State for Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.

Mr. Benjamin Chiang underscored the summit’s strategic importance, stating: “This gathering reflects our shared commitment to educational excellence, language capacity building, and preparing youth for tomorrow’s job market. I urge every participant to leverage this platform – not only to advance their own skills but to drive meaningful solutions for their communities.”

Beyond the classroom, students will engage in joint project planning, leadership bootcamps, and cross-cultural exchanges aimed at deepening ASEAN-U.S. ties and boosting workforce readiness. Since its inception, the English Access Scholarship Programme has empowered thousands of young learners across the region, offering a critical gateway to academic and professional opportunities.

The summit concludes Saturday, reinforcing the U.S. mission’s long-term investment in people-to-people diplomacy and educational innovation in Southeast Asia.

By K. Rithy Reak