Phnom Penh, 11 August 2026 — Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, hosted a gala dinner on Tuesday to welcome delegates to the 9th Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health (9th APPF-GH) at the Shangri-La Hotel.
In her toast remarks, Samdech Khuon Sudary warmly welcomed delegates from 16 countries to Cambodia and thanked them for their participation, highlighting friendship, cultural diversity and long-term partnership as important foundations for regional cooperation.
Samdech said their presence demonstrated a shared commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), particularly as countries confront increasingly complex challenges arising from the climate crisis and the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
Reflecting on the first day of the Forum, Samdech said the discussions had been “rich in substance and firm in political commitment,” with a shared determination to deliver tangible improvements in the health and well-being of people across the Asia-Pacific region.
She stressed that the ultimate goal is to ensure everyone has access to quality healthcare without financial hardship, particularly the most vulnerable, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
Beyond the substantive discussions, Samdech emphasized that the Forum also provides an important opportunity to strengthen personal friendship and build long-term partnerships among parliamentarians and delegates.
“Tonight, we celebrate the efforts and achievements we have made together in this shared humanitarian mission, and we build something equally important personal friendship and long-term partnership,” she said.
The evening also offered delegates an opportunity to experience Cambodian culture through Khmer cuisine, traditional music and dance performances. Samdech emphasized the important role of culture in strengthening societies, stating, “Culture is the source of our resilience.”
She added that culture transcends boundaries and serves as a bridge connecting peoples and nations. “Cultural diversity is a wellspring of peace, harmony, and development,” Samdech said.
Referring to the Mekong River overlooking the gathering, Samdech described it as more than a waterway, but “a meeting point of civilizations” that have flourished along its banks for centuries.
Drawing inspiration from the Mekong’s unique seasonal flow, she expressed hope that the Forum’s dialogue and cooperation would continue to move forward with the same spirit of connection and exchange.
Concluding her remarks, Samdech Khuon Sudary proposed a toast to the health and happiness of all delegates, the success of the 9th APPF-GH, and “to the day when quality healthcare reaches every person in our region and on this planet Earth.”
The gala dinner followed the first day of the three-day 9th APPF-GH, which brought together parliamentarians, health leaders and partners to advance UHC and strengthen cooperation in addressing the impacts of climate change and artificial intelligence on health.
The next day, delegates will travel to Kampot Province to visit Ang Phnom Touch Health Center and observe Cambodia’s community-based primary health care services. They will also visit Sonja Kill Memorial Hospital, a non-profit hospital and training centre, to learn about its contribution to Cambodia’s health system, while experiencing the province’s people, culture and local attractions.
