AKP Phnom Penh, July 17, 2026 --

Cambodia is ready to work with China and all international partners to advance the future of artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring that its benefits are shared equitably, responsibly, and sustainably, Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet said.

"As one of the first signatories to the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, Cambodia stands ready to work shoulder to shoulder with China and all partners in advancing an AI future that is innovative, inclusive, secure, and respectful of national sovereignty," he said during the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, China, on July 17..

At the event, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said Cambodia values China's constructive contributions to advancing international dialogue and cooperation on AI governance through initiatives such as the Global AI Governance Initiative and the Global AI Governance Action Plan.

"These initiatives contribute to strengthening international multilateral cooperation and enhancing AI capacity-building, particularly for developing countries and the Global South," he said.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet stressed that Cambodia firmly believes an open, inclusive, and cooperative multilateral framework is essential to ensure that every country, regardless of its level of development, can participate in and benefit from the AI revolution.

"True AI governance should strengthen international cooperation while respecting the diversity of national circumstances and localised development pathways," he said.

For Cambodia, he said, the country's national trajectory is anchored in a strategic approach defined as inclusive neutrality and actionable growth for digital sovereignty.

"This approach reflects our national circumstances, our urgent development priorities, and our core belief that the future of AI for the Global South must remain open, inclusive, and beneficial to all," he said.

The Prime Minister outlined Cambodia's three key priorities for AI governance.

First, Cambodia embraces inclusive neutrality. "We believe that AI should serve as a bridge for global cooperation rather than a fault line for geopolitical divisions," he said.

Cambodia actively supports an open and multi-aligned architecture that enables countries to cooperate seamlessly across regions, systems, and governance traditions.

Second, Cambodia prioritises actionable growth. AI governance, he said, must go beyond theoretical frameworks and declarations to deliver tangible, localised outcomes.

"It must expand access to frontier AI models and computing power, strengthen underlying digital infrastructure, cultivate specialised human capital, support vibrant local innovation ecosystems, and unlock new opportunities for economic growth," he said.

Third, Cambodia is setting national priorities for AI governance through the forthcoming adoption of its National AI Strategy, which aims to optimise productivity in foundational sectors, improve quality of life, and foster sustainable and inclusive growth.

Concurrently, Cambodia is finalising laws on cybersecurity and personal data protection. These legal frameworks will further support the country's dynamic digital transformation while promoting robust investment, fair competition, and trust in the digital economy.

By Heng Panha