AKP Phnom Penh, April 21, 2026 --

Cambodia’s state-run Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) and the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Cambodia have jointly organised a Photo Exhibition to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the two nations.

The event, held on Tuesday afternoon at the Ministry of Information, was presided over by H.E. Mr. Neth Pheaktra, Minister for Information, and H.E. Mrs. Milena Caridad Zaldívar Piedra, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to Cambodia, with the participation from the National Assembly, Ministries-Institutions, diplomatic corps, relevant national and international institutions, with a total of 200 distinguished guests.

Addressing the event, H.E. Neth Pheaktra recalled the long-standing ties of friendship between Cambodia and Cuba and expressed appreciation for Cuba’s longstanding support to Cambodia, particularly in the fields of healthcare and human resource development, which contributed meaningfully to the country’s reconstruction and progress.

“Both countries share common ideals of independence, justice, and international solidarity, which have served as the foundation of a strong partnership for more than six decades, through challenges, opportunities, and changes, in line with the aspirations of our two nations,” he said.

H.E. Minister also spoke highly of the Photo Exhibition, stressing it presents achievements and major events in the history and development of relations between the two countries. “These photographs not only reflect the past, but also serve as evidence of a friendship and cooperation that has continued to grow steadily,” he added. 

H.E. Neth Pheaktra reaffirmed the commitment and position of the Kingdom of Cambodia to continue strengthening and expanding relations with Cuba so that they become even stronger and more effective for the mutual benefit of the peoples of both countries, especially cooperation in combating cross-border fake news in the context of advancing digital technology and artificial intelligence.

For her part, Cuban Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Mrs. Milena Caridad Zaldívar Piedra said that for more than 65 years, Cuba and the Kingdom of Cambodia have strengthened their special and traditional relationship based on solid shared principles, mutual respect and understanding, and the defence of peace and just causes within the framework of international law.

This photographic exhibition is merely a reflection of the history of ties that, far from eroding through diverse historical contexts and geopolitical dynamics, have maintained their strength and resilience, and project themselves with equal force into the future, she said.

“Cuba is ready to continue deepening cooperation, stimulating, fostering, and expanding alliances in trade, tourism, and investment, including academic collaboration and medical training programmes, within the framework of a very promising high-level diplomatic relationship,” she said.  

Likewise, the Cuban government is committed to strengthening cultural ties as a common ground for bringing our peoples and their realities closer together, she underlined. 

During the exhibition, participants viewed a wide range of photos of leaders of both nations, cultural exchange, and cooperation in many sectors. 

Among the 31 photographs displayed is one of Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s visit to Cuba in 1999, during which he received Cuba’s highest state decoration, the Order of José Martí. Samdech Techo visited Cuba again in 2022, and later in October of the same year, H.E. Manuel Marrero Cruz, Prime Minister of Cuba, also paid an official visit to Cambodia.

Cambodia and Cuba established their diplomatic relations on April 15, 1960, under the royal initiative of His Majesty King Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk (Preah Borom Ratanak Kaudh) and leader of the Cuban Revolution, Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.

By Chea Vannak