AKP Phnom Penh, August 12, 2026 --

Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, hosted a gala dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel in Phnom Penh on Tuesday to welcome delegates attending the 9th Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Forum on Global Health (9th APPF-GH).

In her toast remarks, Samdech Khuon Sudary warmly welcomed delegates from 16 countries to Cambodia and expressed her appreciation for their participation, highlighting friendship, cultural diversity and long-term partnerships as important foundations for strengthening regional cooperation.

She said the participation of the delegates reflected a shared commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), particularly at a time when countries across the region are facing increasingly complex challenges associated with climate change and the rapid development of artificial intelligence.

Reflecting on the first day of the three-day forum, Samdech Khuon Sudary described the discussions as “rich in substance and firm in political commitment,” noting that participants shared a determination to translate their discussions into tangible improvements in the health and well-being of people across the Asia-Pacific region.

She stressed that the ultimate objective of UHC is to ensure that everyone can access quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship, particularly vulnerable groups, and that no one is left behind.

Beyond the substantive discussions, Samdech Khuon Sudary underlined that the forum also provides an important opportunity to strengthen personal friendships and establish long-term partnerships among parliamentarians and delegates.

“Tonight, we celebrate the efforts and achievements we have made together in this shared humanitarian mission, and we build something equally important – personal friendship and long-term partnership,” she said.

The gala dinner also provided delegates with an opportunity to experience Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage through Khmer cuisine, traditional music and dance performances.

Samdech Khuon Sudary emphasised the important role of culture in strengthening societies, saying, “Culture is the source of our resilience.”

She added that culture transcends national boundaries and serves as a bridge connecting peoples and nations, stressing that “Cultural diversity is a wellspring of peace, harmony, and development.”

Referring to the Mekong River overlooking the gathering, Samdech Khuon Sudary described the river as more than a waterway, calling it “a meeting point of civilisations” that have flourished along its banks for centuries.

Drawing inspiration from the Mekong’s seasonal flow, she expressed hope that dialogue and cooperation among participants would continue moving forward in the same spirit of connection, exchange and mutual understanding.

Concluding her remarks, Samdech Khuon Sudary proposed a toast to the health and happiness of all delegates, the success of the 9th APPF-GH, and “to the day when quality healthcare reaches every person in our region and on this planet Earth.”

The gala dinner followed the first day of the 9th APPF-GH, which is bringing together parliamentarians, health leaders and development partners to advance UHC and strengthen regional cooperation in addressing the impacts of climate change and artificial intelligence on health.

On the second day of the forum, delegates are scheduled to travel to Kampot province to visit Ang Phnom Touch Health Centre and observe Cambodia’s community-based primary healthcare services. They will also visit Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital, a non-profit hospital and training centre, to learn about its contribution to Cambodia’s healthcare system and experience the province’s local culture and attractions.

AKP-National Assembly