AKP Phnom Penh, October 17, 2026 --

Cambodia and Kazakhstan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across key sectors, while pledging mutual support within regional and international frameworks.

The commitment was made during separate meetings between Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and Kazakh President H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister H.E. Olzhas Bektenov in Astana on Oct. 17, during the Cambodian leader’s official visit to Kazakhstan from Oct. 16 to 17.

During his meeting with President Tokayev, the Kazakh leader warmly welcomed Samdech Thipadei and the Cambodian delegation, describing the visit as a historic milestone in Cambodia-Kazakhstan relations. He noted that the visit followed former Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s trip to Kazakhstan in 1982, when he served as Cambodia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Both leaders expressed confidence that the visit would open new opportunities to deepen bilateral relations and elevate cooperation to a higher level in the years ahead.

Their discussions focused on political and diplomatic relations, economic cooperation, trade and investment, science and technology, artificial intelligence, security and people-to-people exchanges. They also explored opportunities to promote tourism, provide scholarships to students from both countries and consider establishing an air services agreement.

The two leaders further reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other within regional and international frameworks for the mutual benefit of their peoples.

Following the meeting, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet and President Tokayev co-chaired a ceremony for the exchange of bilateral cooperation documents covering digital government and information and communications technology, trade and economic cooperation, tourism, culture and fine arts, and the establishment of a sister-city relationship between Phnom Penh and Astana.

In the afternoon, Samdech Thipadei met with Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, who welcomed the Cambodian leader and his delegation and described the visit as an important bridge for further strengthening and expanding bilateral ties.

The Cambodian Premier expressed appreciation for the warm welcome extended by the Kazakh government and people, expressing optimism that the visit would provide fresh momentum for deepening the longstanding relations inherited from previous generations of leaders.

The two Prime Ministers discussed new mechanisms to translate their shared commitments into practical cooperation across political and diplomatic affairs, trade, investment, science and technology, artificial intelligence, security, law and finance.

They also highlighted the importance of cooperation in preventing transnational crime and combating technology-related offences, alongside strengthening people-to-people connections.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet (C) shakes hands with Kazakh President H.E. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet (L) and Kazakh Prime Minister H.E. Olzhas Bektenov

By C. Nika