Cambodia’s representative to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, has declared that peace cannot exist on words alone when there are no solutions to mass displacement, village blockades, property seizures, forced evictions and soldiers who remain in captivity. On October 3, during the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, In Dara, Cambodia’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, delivered his remarks during an interactive dialogue with Vitit Muntarbhorn, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia. He welcomed the special rapporteur’s first call, to respect the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire agreement, and called for its practical implementation. Regarding…
Author: Niem Chheng
Ambassador Dara In, permanent representative of Cambodia to the UN in Geneva, has drawn attention to the reported rise of xenophobia and racist violence against Cambodian nationals in Thailand, particularly migrant workers and students. He delivered Cambodia’s statement during an October 2 general debate on racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council. In warned that Cambodian migrant workers and students, who are already vulnerable because of their status, have become targets of hate attacks, harassment and discriminatory rhetoric. “Such acts, he noted, poison relations between peoples and erode the spirit of solidarity…
The latest briefing from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has described Cambodia as the “hidden heavyweight in the global rice trade”, noting that the forthcoming Funan Techo Canal will be a catalyst for increased exports to world markets. In the October IRRI Rice Market Brief, the institution highlighted how the Kingdom’s rice exports have surged over the past decade, reaching more than five million metric tonnes (MMT) of paddy trade in 2025. Notably, Cambodian fragrant rice has earned global recognition, winning the World’s Best Rice award multiple times over the last decade. The report said the kingdom’s national strategy…
Eight men, four Chinese and four Cambodian nationals, are in custody after the national police rescued two victims who had been kidnapped for ransom. The National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) announced that they received a September 20 tip off that a group of Chinese criminals were confining a man against his will. According to the tip, a Chinese national with Canadian citizenship named Jacky Tang Sai, 38, had been kidnapped from a hotel in Phnom Penh’s Veal Vong commune, in Prampi Makara district. The authorities immediately launched an investigation. Specialist CID officers worked with the police commissariats of Svay…
In the spirit of promoting ceasefire compliance and enhancing peace between the two nations, the Cambodia-Thailand Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting between Cambodia’s 3rd Military Region and Thailand’s Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defense Command is scheduled to take place this weekend. Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Maly Socheata announced in this evening’s press release that the Cambodian 3rd Military Region has sent an invitation to Thailand’s Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defence Command for the RBC meeting, planned for October 4-6, with Koh Kong province hosting. “RBC meetings aim to promote the continued, effective implementation of the ceasefire, and seek practical cooperation to enhance peace…
At the UN, Cambodia has reiterated its clear position regarding the current conflict with Thailand. The Kingdom is making all efforts to de-escalate tensions and rebuild trust with the neighbouring country, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In a September 29 press release, the ministry said that foreign minister Prak Sokhonn, who is attending the 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA80), has seized the opportunity to brief the foreign ministers of several nations on the latest updates regarding the situation. He has met with UN Secretary General António Guterres, as well as the president of the International…
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed the strong hope that the neighbouring Kingdoms of Thailand and Cambodia can resolve their border dispute peacefully, through dialogue and mutual commitment. He shared his remarks during a September 26 meeting with Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn at the UN headquarters in New York City, the US, during the 80th UN General Assembly. “His Excellency [António Guterres] informed that he had conveyed Cambodia’s concerns to his Thai counterpart and sought a resolution to this conflict, as ultimately, it is the people who suffer,” said a September 30 statement from…
Cambodia has urged global leaders and stakeholders to enhance their efforts to safeguard access to accurate environmental information, the challenges of ecological crises and the spread of misinformation. During the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) 2025 conference, organized by UNESCO in Manila, the Philippines, Tep Asnarith, spokesman for Cambodia’s Ministry of Information, addressed the pressing issues of climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, pollution and natural disasters, compounded by the rise of false information, especially on social media platforms. “Disinformation has increasingly emerged as a serious challenge, impacting safe and quality access to environmental information,” he told…
Hundreds of new homes will be constructed for veterans and retirees starting from this year, with Senate president Hun Sen, who serves as president of the Cambodian Veterans and Retirees Association, and his wife, committing to building at least 500 houses by 2030. He shared his plans as he addressed an extraordinary general assembly of the association on the morning of September 29, noting that if feasible, the project may be extended beyond 2030, the end of his current term as Senate president. Several other ministers and businesspeople have volunteered to build additional houses for veterans starting this year until…
Banteay Meanchey provincial governor Oum Reatrey has formally protested the decision of Thai authorities in Sa Kaeo province regarding plans to prosecute Cambodians in Prey Chan and Chouk Chey villages under Thai domestic law. The villagers have lived there for decades, however, on September 28, with complete disregard for a 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU 2000), Thai authorities re-hung signs and billboards announcing their intention to evict the villager and enforce Thai law. The signs accused Cambodians dwelling in the two villages, in Banteay Meanchey’s O Beichoan commune in Ou Chrov district, of living on and cultivating land which is…