AKP Phnom Penh, November 29, 2025 --

Cambodia and New Zealand pledged to strengthen and expand their long-standing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors following a high-level meeting between the nations' top officials in Phnom Penh on Saturday.

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet received New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Winston Peters, and his delegation at the Peace Palace for a courtesy call and working discussions.

Minister Peters expressed gratitude for the meeting and praised Cambodia’s significant socio-economic progress. He acknowledged New Zealand's role as a long-term partner and reaffirmed the commitment to supporting and advancing bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit.

The Minister also specifically thanked Cambodia for its active role in bolstering ties between New Zealand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This included Cambodia's support for the establishment of the ASEAN-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was officially announced at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia in October 2025.

Prime Minister Hun Manet warmly welcomed Minister Peters, expressing confidence that the visit would be instrumental in deepening and broadening bilateral ties.

He conveyed Cambodia’s appreciation for New Zealand's longstanding support for the country's peace process and socio-economic development dating back to the 1990s.

The Prime Minister lauded the positive outcomes of the third Bilateral Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand held in August 2025. He urged both foreign ministries to institutionalise this mechanism on a regular basis, believing the consultations will enhance cooperation not only at the government-to-government level but also by expanding private sector links and strengthening people-to-people exchanges.

In a move aimed at boosting commerce, the Prime Minister noted the recent establishment of a representative office of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand to promote investment opportunities and bilateral trade.

During the comprehensive discussions, both sides agreed to further reinforce collaboration in crucial areas: Trade and Investment; Education; Agriculture; Tourism; People-to-People Exchanges.

They also agreed to enhance coordination within regional and international frameworks.

Before concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Hun Manet briefed Minister Peters on the latest developments regarding the Cambodia-Thailand border issue. He firmly reiterated Cambodia’s steadfast commitment to the Joint Declaration signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, stressing that Cambodia remains fully dedicated to resolving all border issues peacefully, based on existing bilateral agreements, conventions, treaties, and international law.

By K. Rithy Reak