On September 11, Cambodia and Australia held their sixth round of senior official talks in Phnom Penh, focusing on expanding trade cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Un Kheang, the Cambodian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and Michelle Chan, the Australian Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Representatives from nine relevant Cambodian ministries were present, along with the Australian Ambassador to Cambodia and other embassy officials.
Both sides emphasized that their long-standing relationship serves as a solid foundation for further collaboration, especially in key areas like economy, trade, investment, defense, agriculture, clean energy, education, and mine clearance. An official from the Australian Embassy noted that the relationship between Cambodia and Australia is strong, with the two countries set to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties next year.
These senior official talks have been taking place annually since 2019, primarily to discuss the latest developments in trade cooperation, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area. According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the trade in goods and services between the two countries is expected to reach around $1.8 billion by 2025, with major imports including gold, clothing, and shoes, while exports consist mainly of grains, coal, and beef. Tourism continues to be a vital link between the two economies. The next round of talks is scheduled to take place in Australia in 2027.
