In a meeting held on 10 October 2024, Prime Ministers Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet of Cambodia and The Rt Hon Christopher Luxon of New Zealand discussed ways to expand their countries’ cooperation in various fields. The bilateral talks took place on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane.
Cambodian Economic Progress and New Zealand’s Support
The Rt Hon Christopher Luxon lauded Cambodia’s rapid economic growth and social progress, expressing his country’s commitment to further support Cambodia’s development in areas where New Zealand has comparative advantages. Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister expressed deep appreciation for New Zealand’s contributions to Cambodia’s peace process and peacekeeping efforts, particularly in demining training in the 1990s, and assistance with socio-economic development in fields like education, agriculture, and demining.
Expanding Economic Relations and Cooperation
Both leaders acknowledged the potential for expanding economic relations between Cambodia and New Zealand, agreeing to promote bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, business collaboration in agriculture, agro-industry, and clean energy. They also committed to enhancing people-to-people connectivity and cooperation in education, including technical and vocational education training (TVET).
Enhancing Education and People-to-People Connectivity
To further strengthen their relationship, the Prime Ministers stressed the importance of formalizing regular consultations between the two foreign ministries. Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister also thanked New Zealand for confirming participation in the Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World, hosted by Cambodia, on 25-29 November 2024.
Regional Development and ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations
The two leaders exchanged views on regional development, looking forward to the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations in 2025. Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister cordially invited The Rt Hon Christopher Luxon to pay an official visit to Cambodia and accepted his invitation to pay a similar visit to New Zealand at the earliest convenience.
In conclusion, the meeting between the two Prime Ministers highlights the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Cambodia and New Zealand, with a focus on cooperation in key areas such as economic development, education, and regional engagement. The agreement to formalize regular consultations and enhance people-to-people connectivity demonstrates the commitment of both countries to fostering a stronger partnership for mutual benefit.