AKP Phnom Penh, April 28, 2026 --

Tokyo and Phnom Penh have agreed to deepen their long-standing alliance by accelerating the transfer of advanced urban technology from the Japanese capital to its Cambodian counterpart, officials confirmed Monday.

The commitment was sealed during a bilateral meeting between Phnom Penh Governor H.E. Khuong Sreng and Tokyo Governor H.E. Ms. Yuriko Koike on the sidelines of the 3rd Global City Network for Sustainability (G-NETS) Leaders Summit, currently underway in Tokyo.

According to Phnom Penh City Hall spokesperson Dor Samphors, the talks centered on leveraging Tokyo’s technical expertise to tackle pressing urban challenges, from flooding to public safety.

Governor H.E. Khuong Sreng thanked Japan for its enduring support, specifically citing the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for funding critical infrastructure. He briefed H.E. Ms. Koike on Phnom Penh’s modernisation drive, which includes smart city initiatives such as high-tech surveillance systems for public order, along with upgrades to flood control and wastewater treatment.

H.E. Khuong Sreng stressed that Cambodia’s development remains a top priority under Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, who is maintaining the peace and political stability essential for national growth.

In response, Tokyo Governor H.E. Ms. Koike welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the core mission of G-NETS—a platform she launched in 2022 to foster direct city-to-city diplomacy.

“The forum allows global hubs to share knowledge, test innovative technologies, and collaborate on high-level policies,” she said, expressing hope that Phnom Penh would both contribute its own urban management insights and gain new strategies for disaster mitigation and sustainable resilience from other member cities.

The G-NETS summit, which runs through the week, is focused on building inclusive and resilient urban futures for capitals worldwide.

By K. Rithy Reak