AKP Phnom Penh, November 17, 2025 --

Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has reaffirmed his continued support and respect for the role of religion in strengthening morality and virtue within Cambodian society.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 33rd National Congress of Buddhist Monks in Phnom Penh this morning, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, who also serves as President of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King, stressed that while Buddhism is Cambodia’s state religion, the Kingdom does not discriminate against other faiths.

“Islam, Christianity, and other religions continue to freely practice their beliefs in accordance with their own traditions,” he said, noting the significant contributions of all religions in promoting education, social harmony, public order, and safety.

“Buddhism and the state complement each other in encouraging citizens to do good deeds without violence or wrongdoing,” he underlined. “The religion and the nation cannot be separated. When the nation is shaken, Buddhism is also lost, as clearly seen during the Pol Pot regime.”

He added that when people suffer, monks suffer as well — but when society prospers, monks benefit from better support and more temples being built.

“Especially during border clashes, it is not only civilians who face danger, but monks too,” he recalled.

Samdech Techo emphasised that no religion teaches wrongdoing, and that the state supports religions, while religions help the state by providing moral and ethical education.

H.E. Chay Borin, Minister of Cults and Religious Affairs, reported that Buddhism continues to flourish in Cambodia. As of 2025, the country has approximately 75,500 monks, about 5,140 pagodas, and some 13,800 trained laymen.

By Heng Panha