Cambodia and Australia Pledge Deeper Cooperation After Deputy PM Visit

PHNOM PENH, March 17, 2026 (KPT) — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn has wrapped up an official visit to Australia aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic and security ties.

Sokhonn travelled to Australia from March 15–16 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Penny Wong, holding talks with senior leaders including Wong, Defence Minister Richard Marles and House Speaker Milton Dick.

Discussions reviewed progress in bilateral relations and identified new areas for cooperation. Australian leaders welcomed the visit as an important step in reinforcing the long standing friendship between the two nations.

Both sides stressed the need for regular high level exchanges and closer engagement between institutions and parliaments.

Economic cooperation featured prominently, with bilateral trade reaching about $1.2 billion in 2025. Sokhonn urged Australian firms to expand investment in priority sectors such as education, agriculture, energy and healthcare.

Cambodia also thanked Australia for long term development assistance, worth $1.4 billion since 1992, and for scholarships enabling more than 1,100 Cambodians to pursue postgraduate studies.

Talks with Marles covered defence cooperation, counter terrorism and transnational crime. Sokhonn also briefed leaders on Cambodia–Thailand border developments and met members of the Cambodian community in Australia.