AKP Phnom Penh, August 11, 2026 --

The National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia is hosting the 9th Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Forum on Global Health (9th APPF-GH) from Aug. 11 to 13, 2026, at the National Assembly Palace under the theme “Universal Health Coverage in the Era of Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence (AI).”

The official opening ceremony on Aug. 11 was presided over by H.E. Ouch Borith, First Vice President of the Senate.

The regional forum is attended by parliamentary delegations and distinguished guests from 16 countries, including presidents and vice-presidents of parliaments, parliamentarians, health ministers, development partners, and health experts.

In her welcoming remarks, Lok Chumteav Lork Kheng, Chairwoman of the Cambodian National Assembly’s Commission on Public Health, Social Affairs, Veterans, Youth Rehabilitation, Labour, Vocational Training, and Women’s Affairs, said the forum serves as a bridge reflecting political responsibility and addressing emerging challenges in the health sector.

She emphasised that while AI plays an important role in rapid data analysis, decision-making, and reducing administrative burdens, it cannot replace medical teams and should be regarded as a supporting tool.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, H.E. Ouch Borith highlighted the importance of implementing a “People-Centred Approach” to ensure that people, particularly those in remote areas, have access to quality health services and treatment without facing the risk of falling into debt.

He also warned that the climate change crisis is threatening universal health coverage by contributing to food shortages, increasing the risk of epidemics, and damaging health infrastructure.

H.E. Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, explained that universal health coverage encompasses not only health financing, hospitals, medicines, medical equipment, and health insurance, but also the value of human life, regardless of place of birth, age, income, or whether people live in urban or rural areas.

He underlined that universal health coverage in Cambodia has improved through the implementation of practical approaches focusing on primary health care, strengthening the resilience of the health system, and promoting close collaboration with communities and relevant sectors to address the underlying determinants of health.

At the same time, Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, Regional Director for the Western Pacific of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said that a healthy society is a resilient society, adding that investing in health means investing in a nation’s hope and future.

Following the opening ceremony, four major sessions, focusing on advancing universal health coverage (UHC) in the Asia-Pacific region; parliamentary governance in UHC, including progress, challenges, and country experiences; UHC in the era of climate change; and UHC in the era of artificial intelligence, were organised.

Established in 2015, the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Forum on Global Health comprises 31 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. By 2024, parliaments from 27 member countries had participated in its annual forums, while two additional countries applied for membership in 2026.

The forum receives technical and financial support from the WHO to strengthen, protect, and promote the health and well-being of people across the region.

By Chea Vannak