Philippine President Marcos Concludes State Visit to Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Sept. 9, 2025) — Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos departed Cambodia on Monday via Techo International Airport, concluding a successful three-day state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

Marcos arrived in Phnom Penh on Sept. 7 for a visit focused on expanding cooperation in defense, trade, education and regional diplomacy. He was welcomed at the Peace Palace by Samdech Hun Sen, acting head of state and president of the Senate, and later held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia’s longstanding partnership with the Philippines, citing shared interests and growing collaboration across security, investment and people-to-people exchanges. He also pledged Cambodia’s full support for the Philippines’ upcoming ASEAN chairmanship.

Marcos emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to advancing cooperation in key sectors, including consumer goods, education, healthcare, infrastructure, agro-processing and logistics. He described these areas as “critical drivers” of modernization and social development.

“Our discussions focused on expanding opportunities in trade, agriculture, renewable energy and the digital economy,” Marcos said. “We are committed to improving the lives of our peoples through meaningful collaboration.”

“This is a win-win partnership grounded in mutual trust, respect and shared benefits,” said Vannarith Chheang, chairman of the Angkor Social Innovation Park. “Enhanced trade, investment and tourism are expected, and rice exports to the Philippines are likely to increase.”

Chheang also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, noting that Cambodia fully supports the Philippines’ upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026. “Strengthening bilateral ties now will help reinforce ASEAN unity and community-building efforts,” he said.

During the visit, Cambodia and the Philippines signed three bilateral agreements covering law enforcement, higher education and air services.

The three documents include an exchange of notes amending the memorandum of understanding between the Cambodian National Police and the Philippine National Police on cooperation in combating transnational crime; a memorandum of understanding between Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education to promote collaboration in higher education; and a memorandum of understanding on air services between the two countries to enhance connectivity and aviation cooperation.