AKP Phnom Penh, July 01, 2025 --

Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, met here on July 1 with Hon. Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, Speaker of the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In the meeting, Samdech Khuon Sudary highlighted that this high-level official visit from Shura Council of Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in bilateral parliamentary relations, building on the fruitful visit of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate, to Saudi Arabia in December last year.

Samdech further expressed appreciation for the strong, friendly relations and practical cooperation between the two Kingdoms and peoples, noting that diplomatic ties were only established on Oct. 19, 2010. She expressed optimism that Saudi Arabia will soon consider opening the embassy in Phnom Penh.

She recalled the important meeting between the two Prime Ministers in 2023, when Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet held a working session with His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.

Samdech also expressed satisfaction with the mutual support for each other’s candidacies within the United Nations system, including Cambodia’s candidacy for the Organisational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission (OCPBC) for 2025–2026 (election in December 2024), Saudi Arabia’s candidacy for the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 2025–2027, and Cambodia’s candidacy for ECOSOC for 2028–2030 (election in 2027).

Samdech shared that following the national election in July, with a strong mandate from the Cambodian people, Prime Minister Hun Manet has started implementing the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1 with strong political will and robust institutional reforms. This strategy prioritises five key areas—people, roads, water, electricity, and technology—with a strong emphasis on human capital as the foundation for national development.

She stressed that Cambodia is focused on strengthening internal stability and national unity and resilience while expanding external relations. Cambodia respects both national and international laws to ensure peace and prosperity for its people and contribute to regional and global peace and stability.

Reflecting on Cambodia’s tragic past under the Pol Pot regime, Samdech underlined that human life, peace, and stability remain the nation’s highest priorities. Peace is invaluable for the Cambodian people.

She highlighted Cambodia’s strength in food security, noting that Saudi Arabia, in turn, has expertise in energy security. Samdech expressed optimism about the two Memoranda of Understanding signed on Feb. 6, 2025, which aim to foster collaboration in trade, investment, tourism, and education, building upon existing bilateral ties and creating opportunities for mutual growth.

She also mentioned about the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border tensions, explaining that Cambodia is committed to resolving disputes peacefully through existing bilateral mechanism including the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to settle issues along the border, except for the most complex and contentious areas such as Mom Bei, Ta Moan Tauch, Ta Moan Thom, and Ta Krabei Temples that Cambodia has sought legal solutions through the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Samdech stressed that Cambodia does not want to see the conflict escalate and aspires to transform the border into an area of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development. However, she noted that certain extremist groups continue to inflame and stir tensions, disrupt daily life along the border, causing hardships for people on both sides. Cambodia wishes to live peacefully with good neighbours in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.

For his part, Hon. Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh expressed his gratitude for the warm and friendly welcome, noting that it made him feel close and comfortable.

He stated that this visit, initiated by the invitation of Samdech President of the National Assembly, would bring mutual benefits to both countries.

He emphasised that the visit aimed to open opportunities for businesspeople to explore new avenues for cooperation and achieve new heights in bilateral trade and investment.

The Speaker stressed the importance of adapting and changing strategies to ensure that Cambodia can also benefit from the significant economic development of Saudi Arabia.

Highlighting further areas of cooperation, he pointed to investment, people-to-people exchanges, and tourism, underscoring the importance of establishing direct flights between the two countries, as air connectivity is essential for facilitating travel and strengthening ties.

He also shared his confidence that Cambodia would attract more visitors from Saudi Arabia.

The Speaker extended a cordial invitation to Samdech to pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia at a mutually convenient time. Samdech thanked the Speaker for the invitation and accepted it with great pleasure, affirming that both nations treat each other as equals based on mutual respect, understanding, trust, and shared interests.

Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties as solid rock foundations of the bilateral relationship.

By Chea Vannak