AKP Phnom Penh, August 26, 2026 --

Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, received Hon. Milton Dick, Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, for talks at the National Assembly Palace on Aug. 26, on the sidelines of the Second Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC-2) hosted by Cambodia.

Samdech Khuon Sudary warmly welcomed Hon. Milton Dick and his delegation, saying their visit demonstrated the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and Australia and would further strengthen ties between the two countries’ legislative and executive institutions at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

She highlighted the significance of ISC-2, which is being organised under the direct leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of Cambodia and one of the founders of the conference. The conference aims to build trust through dialogue and contribute to the protection of peace based on international law.

Hon. Milton Dick expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to meet Samdech Khuon Sudary and praised her leadership and capabilities. He voiced strong support for ISC-2, saying the conference would bring benefits to people and provide an important platform for parliamentary leaders to strengthen cooperation. He also encouraged further exchanges between the two parliaments through friendship groups, youth parliaments and other mechanisms.

Since the 1990s, Australia has provided Cambodia with approximately US$1.4 billion in grants and development assistance. Bilateral cooperation covers a wide range of areas, including trade and education, while two-way trade reached more than US$600 million in 2025. Australia remains an important development partner for Cambodia in economic development, governance reform and human-resource development.

Samdech Khuon Sudary welcomed the Australian Speaker’s views, stressing that human-resource development remains a key priority for Cambodia. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, the Royal Government has prioritised human-resource development under the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1, with the long-term goals of achieving upper-middle-income status by 2030 and high-income status by 2050.

Samdech also expressed Cambodia’s appreciation for Australia’s longstanding contribution to peace and development in the Kingdom, recalling the role of Australian Lieutenant General John Sanderson, who served as Commander of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) from 1991 to 1993.

She further welcomed the appointment of Australian diplomat and legal expert Katrina Cooper as Chairperson of the UNCLOS Conciliation Commission concerning the maritime boundary and overlapping maritime areas between Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodia has invoked compulsory conciliation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to address the maritime boundary issue.

Samdech Khuon Sudary stressed that, as a small state, Cambodia has no intention of violating any country and seeks only to protect its legitimate rights and interests. She reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to peace, peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international law.

By C. Nika