AKP Phnom Penh, October 29, 2025 --

Acknowledging a shared vision for more ambitious and prosperous economic integration across ASEAN and New Zealand markets, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia reaffirmed the commitment to working closely with New Zealand to fully harness the benefits of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

At the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations held yesterday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Samdech Thipadei also highlighted New Zealand's expertise in sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient practices, and advanced farming technologies, particularly through capacity-building, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing that deliver tangible benefits to local communities. He further encouraged stronger partnerships in education, particularly in skills training, digital literacy, and academic collaboration to better prepare youth for the future economy.

Samdech Thipadei and other ASEAN and New Zealand Leaders mark an important milestone in the ASEAN-New Zealand partnership, as the two sides share a strong legacy and have achieved significant progress over the past 50 years across a wide range of areas, including political, security, trade and economic, people-to-people and development cooperation. 

In this regard, the Leaders announced the official establishment of the ASEAN-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), and adopted the ASEAN-New Zealand Leaders' Joint Vision Statement together with notation of the adoption of ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action (2026-2030).

ASEAN Leaders appreciated New Zealand's announcement of the new ASEAN Ventures Fund, contributing NZ$27 million to mobilise private climate finance for early-stage climate-related technology investments;  NZ$25 million for ASEAN-New Zealand Vision Fund to support cooperative initiatives related to economic cooperation, climate change and environment, and governance and security; and NZ$61 million of support allocated specifically to Timor-Leste's development programme over the next three years.

By Heng Panha