Phnom Penh, 11 August 2026
Cambodian parliamentary leaders called for stronger political commitment and concrete parliamentary action to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC), as the 9th Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health (9th APPF-GH) officially opened at the National Assembly Palace on Tuesday.
Held under the theme “Universal Health Coverage in the Era of Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence,” the regional forum brings together parliamentarians, health leaders, experts and partners to strengthen cooperation in addressing emerging health challenges.
Delivering the opening address, Hon. Ouch Borith, First Vice-President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, emphasized, “Health is a fundamental human right and an essential foundation for sustainable development, prosperity, and national resilience.”
At the outset, Hon. Ouch Borith expressed his deepest condolences to the Lao delegation, the National Assembly, Government and people of the Lao PDR, and the bereaved family on the passing of Hon. Dr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane, describing his passing as a profound loss of a distinguished statesman who made an invaluable contribution to regional parliamentary cooperation.
Speaking on behalf of Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, Hon. Ouch Borith warmly welcomed all parliamentary delegations and distinguished guests, describing their presence as a great honour for Cambodia as host of this important regional forum.
A central message throughout the opening ceremony was the important role of parliamentarians in turning political commitments into concrete action through legislation, budgets, oversight, representation and leadership.
In her welcome remarks, Hon. Lork Kheng, Chairwoman of Commission 8 of the National Assembly and Chairwoman of the 9th APPF-GH Organizing Committee, stressed that UHC is not only a technical challenge but also a political responsibility.
“Every law we pass, every budget we approve, and every question we raise through parliamentary oversight can either move our countries closer to health for all, or allow inequality to continue,” Hon. Lork Kheng said.
She highlighted Cambodia's progress in reducing maternal and child mortality, expanding immunization and strengthening responses to infectious diseases, including the successful COVID-19 vaccination campaign under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
Cambodia is now advancing its Roadmap towards Universal Health Coverage 2024–2035, which aims to expand social health protection to 80 per cent of the population, achieve at least 80 per cent coverage of essential health services, and reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure to 35 per cent.
Delivering a keynote address, H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, described UHC as more than health financing, hospitals, doctors, medicines or insurance. “It is a social contract,” he said, emphasizing that access to healthcare should not depend on where people live, their age, income or ability to pay.
He said Cambodia is pursuing a pragmatic, primary health care-led approach to UHC while continuing to address shortages of health workers, infrastructure gaps, geographical disparities, and quality and safety concerns in the private health sector.
From the regional perspective, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, delivered a clear message that “health is a political choice,” stressing that decisions affecting vaccines, safe maternal care and protection from catastrophic medical bills are ultimately shaped by legislation, budgets, oversight and political leadership.
He emphasized that health should not simply be viewed as a cost, but as an investment in national development. “Healthy children learn better. Healthy adults contribute more productively. Healthy families are less likely to fall into poverty. Healthy societies are more resilient,” he said.
Dr Piukala also highlighted Cambodia's use of AI-assisted chest X-ray technology for community tuberculosis screening as an example of how innovation can serve people. He stressed that AI should support, rather than replace, health workers and human care.
Hon. Man Hee Lee, President of the APPF-GH and Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, similarly stressed that AI offers significant opportunities to improve diagnosis, disease surveillance, health planning and access to services, particularly for rural, remote and underserved communities.
However, he cautioned that without strong governance, privacy and data safeguards, sustainable financing and attention to equity, new technologies could widen existing inequalities. He underscored the role of parliamentarians in ensuring that innovation is guided by equity, evidence and ethics.
H.E. Prof. Chheang Ra reinforced this people-centred approach, stressing that AI and technology must remain in the service of people. “Innovation cannot replace compassion, technology cannot replace responsibility, and efficiency cannot replace equity,” he said.
Climate change was another major concern shared across the opening speeches. Leaders warned that extreme heat, floods, storms, droughts, food insecurity, air pollution and changing disease patterns are increasingly affecting people's health and placing pressure on health facilities, supply chains and health workers.
Against these challenges, the Forum emphasized stronger investment in primary health care, climate-resilient health systems, financial protection for families, responsible use of AI, and greater attention to poor, vulnerable and remote communities.
The three-day Forum is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Phnom Penh Communiqué, setting out shared commitments and concrete actions to advance UHC in the era of climate change and artificial intelligence.
Hon. Lork Kheng emphasized that the outcome must go beyond words, stressing that progress will depend on what parliamentarians do after returning home “the laws we strengthen, the budgets we protect, the implementation we monitor, and the voices we bring into decision-making.”
Hon. Ouch Borith likewise urged delegates to focus on tangible results, emphasizing that progress should ultimately be measured by whether people, including those living in remote communities, can access needed healthcare without falling into debt—a true reflection of a people-centred approach.
The opening ceremony delivered a common message from parliamentary, government and WHO leaders: Universal Health Coverage requires political leadership, sustainable investment and stronger cooperation, while climate action and technological innovation must ultimately serve people and ensure that no one is left behind.
Hon. Ouch Borith then officially declared the 9th Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health open, expressing hope that the Forum would produce meaningful and fruitful outcomes.
According to the official programme, following the opening ceremony, the Forum will feature plenary discussions and four thematic sessions focusing on advancing UHC in the Asia-Pacific region, parliamentary governance and country experiences, UHC in the era of climate change, and UHC in the era of artificial intelligence.
In the evening, Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, will grant a courtesy call to heads of delegation, followed by a gala dinner and cultural performance at the Shangri-La Hotel.