AKP Phnom Penh, November 17, 2025 —

Cambodia's Minister of Health, H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra, on Monday praised the "fruitful results" of bilateral cooperation with the United States, citing significant progress in strengthening the country's health sector and improving public well-being.

The Minister's remarks came during a meeting at the Ministry of Health headquarters with Ms. Bridgette L. Walker, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, and her delegation this afternoon.

Minister Chheang Ra extended a warm welcome and profound gratitude to the U.S. Government for its consistent and long-standing support. He highlighted that direct U.S. assistance has been crucial in sustaining progress in public health, strengthening healthcare systems, and building resilience nationwide.

Chargé d’Affaires Walker, in turn, thanked the Minister for his support of existing U.S.-funded initiatives. She provided an update on the rollout of the first America First Global Health Strategy.

"The strategy will be implemented through a forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure transparency and long-term sustainability of U.S. foreign health assistance," Chargé d’Affaires Walker stated.

The new U.S. plan focuses on advancing global health security, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and supporting resilient health systems. She also requested the Minister's recommendations on a draft of the new bilateral agreement between the two nations.

Minister Chheang Ra expressed strong support for the new U.S. global health strategy, appreciating America's commitment to saving lives and strengthening health systems in Cambodia and globally. He proposed further technical discussions to ensure future cooperation is closely aligned with Cambodia’s updated national health priorities.

The Minister reiterated that the U.S.–Cambodia bilateral cooperation has already yielded "significant and tangible outcomes" in health development, notably improving the health and well-being of Cambodians. He specifically acknowledged the years of partnership, facilitated through the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, that contributed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and sustaining health progress into the present day.

Concluding the meeting, Minister Chheang Ra reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to continued close collaboration with the United States in support of the Royal Government’s Pentagonal Strategy for its seventh mandate, led by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet

By K. Rithy Reak