AKP Phnom Penh, August 25, 2026 -- UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific H.E. Ms. Rosie Winterton is making her first overseas visit since taking office, travelling to Cambodia to see first-hand the country’s development and strengthen the growing UK-Cambodia partnership, according to a press release issued on Tuesday.

During her visit, the Minister will travel to Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey before holding meetings in Phnom Penh with Cambodian government officials on trade and investment, development and human rights.

In Oddar Meanchey, the Minister will visit Kok Prasat to see a UK-funded education programme supporting children displaced by the recent Cambodia-Thailand border conflict. The visit will also highlight the UK’s support for sustainable peace and the full implementation of the December 2025 ceasefire.

She will also meet demining experts from the UK charity HALO Trust and Apopo. The UK has supported mine clearance and humanitarian recovery in Cambodia for more than three decades, clearing the equivalent of 22,400 football pitches since 2014 and returning contaminated land to productive use.

In May, the UK announced an additional £1.6 million for mine clearance and risk education in Cambodia. The funding is expected to help clear nearly 1.94 million square metres of contaminated land and support Cambodia’s goal of becoming mine-impact free by 2030.

“Cambodia sits at the heart of a region that matters for the UK’s security and prosperity. On my first overseas visit as Minister for the Indo-Pacific, I am seeing how UK support is helping communities recover from conflict and clearing landmines that threaten lives and livelihoods,” said H.E. Ms. Rosie Winterton.

In Phnom Penh, H.E. Ms. Winterton is expected to meet Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet to discuss the strong partnership between the two countries and shared priorities for the future.

The visit will also pave the way for further cooperation in education, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening institutional partnerships, promoting knowledge exchange and supporting skills development for Cambodia’s future growth.

The British Embassy in Cambodia underlined that the visit builds on recent UK-Cambodia engagement, including a Royal Navy ship visit, and reflects expanding cooperation in defence, education, development, trade and investment.

British universities have also expanded their presence in Cambodia in recent years, with De Montfort University and Teesside University offering UK degrees in the Kingdom, enabling Cambodian students to access international higher education opportunities.

The UK said its development and humanitarian programmes continue to support security, stability and long-term recovery in Cambodia, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable peace and prosperity.

By C. Nika