AKP Phnom Penh, October 29, 2025 --

As a member of ASEAN, Cambodia underscored Australia’s active role in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), digital transformation as well as education in ASEAN. 

Speaking at the 5th ASEAN-Australia Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Oct. 28, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet highlighted the importance of advancing a digital and green future under the Aus4ASEAN Digital Transformation and Future Skills Initiative and encouraged deeper Australian cooperation in TVET, particularly in developing industry-relevant digital and green skills.

The Premier also advocated for enhanced collaboration with Australia in strengthening early childhood care and education, financing policies, and human capital investment to empower future generations.

Samdech Thipadei looked forward to Australia's continued partnership in implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan V (2026-2030), recognising its key role in narrowing development gaps and fostering inclusive growth across the region.

At the same time, Samdech Thipadei and other ASEAN Australian Leaders adopted the ASEAN-Australia Joint Leaders Statement on Conflict Prevention, Crisis Management, and the ASEAN-led Regional Architecture, which will further contribute to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. The Leaders further underscored the need to maximise the potential of the AANZFTA and RCEP to generate new opportunities and effectively respond to the changing landscape of regional and global trade.

ASEAN welcomed Australia's continued support for protecting and promoting migrant worker rights through the announcement of an additional contribution of AU$15 million to the Tripartite Action to Enhance the Contribution of Labour Migration to Growth and Development (TRIANGLE) to further promote decent work, skills development and labour mobility across the region.

By Heng Panha