AKP Phnom Penh, September 28, 2026 --

Prime Minister Samdech Maha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet received H.E. Ms. Raylene Siale Tagaloa Liufalani, newly appointed Ambassador of New Zealand to Cambodia, for a courtesy call and working discussion at the Peace Palace on Monday morning.

During the meeting, H.E. Ms. Raylene Siale Tagaloa Liufalani expressed her pleasure at being appointed New Zealand’s new ambassador to Cambodia and spoke highly of the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

She described New Zealand and Cambodia as long-standing friends and partners, and expressed New Zealand’s pride in its contributions to Cambodia’s recovery, reconstruction and socioeconomic development over the years.

The Ambassador highlighted strong bilateral cooperation in key areas, including mine and unexploded ordnance clearance, water resources management, climate change, environment, agriculture, women and youth empowerment, and scholarships for Cambodian students to study in New Zealand.

She also recognised Cambodia’s important role in the region and thanked Cambodia for its support in upgrading New Zealand-ASEAN relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

H.E. Ms. Raylene Siale Tagaloa Liufalani stressed that during her diplomatic tenure, she would continue efforts to further advance and strengthen New Zealand-Cambodia relations and cooperation, both bilaterally and within the regional framework.

In response, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet congratulated the Ambassador on her appointment and expressed confidence that bilateral relations and cooperation would continue to grow stronger and further develop during her tenure.

Appreciating the progress in relations and cooperation between the two countries, the Prime Minister noted that there remained significant potential for Cambodia and New Zealand to further strengthen and expand their bilateral ties and cooperation.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s contributions to Cambodia’s recovery, reconstruction and socioeconomic development, as well as its continued provision of scholarships for Cambodian students and cooperation in mine and unexploded ordnance clearance. He also highlighted cooperation involving Cambodian peacekeeping forces in humanitarian and international peacekeeping missions under the United Nations.

The Prime Minister and the Ambassador also exchanged views on new opportunities to further advance bilateral cooperation in areas with strong potential, including the economy, trade and investment, new technology transfer, renewable energy, tourism, human resource development through technical and vocational training, and people-to-people connectivity.

Before concluding the meeting, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet encouraged the Ambassador to maintain close cooperation and strengthen engagement with Cambodian ministries and institutions in order to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation for the continued development and strengthening of relations between the two countries.

By C. Nika