Cambodian lawmaker attends WTO seminar on global trade challenges in Geneva

GENEVA, May 28, 2026 (KPT) – A senior Cambodian parliamentarian has joined a two-day seminar in Geneva examining the future of global trade and the challenges facing the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The event, titled Global Seminar for Francophone Parliamentarians on the Challenges Facing the World Trade Organization and International Trade, was held at WTO headquarters on May 28–29 and brought together lawmakers from French-speaking countries worldwide.

Among the participants was Chheang Vun, chairman of the Economic, Finance, Banking and Audit Commission of Cambodia’s National Assembly and vice-president of the country’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF).

Organised by the WTO Secretariat in partnership with the APF, the seminar aimed to strengthen parliamentarians’ understanding of the WTO’s work, enhance their role in shaping and overseeing trade policy, and encourage deeper engagement with the multilateral trading system.

Around 70 parliamentarians from Francophone countries across five continents attended, alongside senior representatives of international organisations.

Speakers included WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, APF General Delegate Amélia Lakrafi, and Mame Diarra Beye, chair of the APF Committee on Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs.

Discussions covered a wide range of issues affecting international trade, including food security, agriculture, digital trade, e-commerce, investment facilitation, trade and gender, environmental sustainability, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, fisheries subsidies and customs regulations.

The Cambodian delegation said it focused on topics linked to the country’s economic development and integration into global markets. Cambodia joined the WTO in 2004, becoming one of the first least-developed countries to gain membership through full accession negotiations.

The seminar concluded with a review of key findings and future priorities. Cambodian officials said the outcomes would help inform the work of parliamentary committees involved in trade-related legislation and policy development.