Australia has shown a strong will to strengthen and expand cooperation with the Kingdom of Cambodia in both the legislative and executive branches. His Excellency Justin Kevin Whyatt, Ambassador of Australia to the Kingdom of Cambodia, in a meeting with Samdech Moha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, stressed that Australia supports the Pentagonal Strategy - Phase 1 under the 7th Mandate of the Royal Government of Cambodia led by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet in promoting the development of human resources, the well-being of the people, national economic growth, the living standards of the people, gender equality, governance reform, security and national defense, amongst other pillars.
During a meeting held at the National Assembly Palace on the morning of January 23, 2024, the Australian Ambassador expressed his appreciation to Cambodia for its transition from a country that once hosted the United Nations peacekeeping force in 1991, into a country that has sent peacekeepers to many countries around the world under the auspices of the United Nations to participate in peacekeeping missions.
On behalf of the National Assembly, Samdech Rathsaphea Thipadei Khuon Sudary expressed her support for the outcome of the discussion between His Excellency Ambassador and Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet on January 22, 2024 as well as the strong commitment of the two governments in enhancing and deepening cooperation with each other to be more comprehensive. Samdech Rathsaphea Thipadei highlighted that the bond between the two nations has evolved from a strong friendship into a strategic partnership, grounded in mutual trust, respects and understanding for the benefit of both countries, as well as its mutual goal of maintaining peace in the region and the world at large.
The President of the National Assembly also requested Australia’s assistance in bolstering the development of the National Assembly of Cambodia into a digital parliament in order to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the National Assembly to serve the interests of the people and the nation, aligning with the advancements of the current technological era. Samdech Rathsaphea Thipadei proposed that Australia assists in technological trainings and provides scholarships to officials of the General Secretariat of the National Assembly to study in Australia.
His Excellency Justin Kevin Whyatt supported the remarks made by Samdech Moha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary and underscores that officials from the National Assembly Secretariat have the opportunity to apply for scholarships offered annually by the Australian Government to Cambodia. The 2025 Scholarship intake will be officially announced in the near future and the Australian Embassy in Phnom Penh look forward to collaborating with the National Assembly’s General Secretariat in this respect.
His Excellency Ambassador highlighted the positive collaboration between the two parliaments, where mutual support was evident in inter-parliamentary forums, including the participation of Cambodia's National Assembly delegation in the 28th meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Australia, and reciprocally, the Australian parliamentary delegation attending APPF’s meeting in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Samdech Moha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary expressed her gratitude to Australia for its unwavering support to Cambodia in all circumstances, particularly in seeking peace, and Australia’s active involvement in Cambodia's development across all sectors since 1993.