Cambodia

Australia welcomes the Joint Statement of the Third Cambodia–Thailand Special General Border Committee meeting on 27 December.

The Australian Government remains deeply concerned about ongoing military clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, including the rapid escalation in the scale and intensity of the conflict, the use of heavy destructive weapons and the growing humanitarian impact the fighting is having on both sides.

The Australian Government is deeply concerned by the escalation of tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border and reports of civilian and military casualties.

The Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) is an AUD 87 million Australia’s flagship economic program in Cambodia (2022-2027) with an aim to foster resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. DFAT commissioned an independent review to assess the extent to which CAPRED has been effective in targeting the right levers of change to achieve the program outcomes and inform the decision on the program extension.

Australia is committed to helping Cambodia become a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy. In line with Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040,  Australia will work with Cambodia to foster commercial links and trade. Australian support will focus on building a more diversified economy and stronger business enabling environment, enhancing climate resilience, improving competitiveness, capturing new opportunities and promoting inclusive economic opportunities for women, people with disability and other marginalised groups.

Delivering inclusive and quality public services remains critical for Cambodia to achieve its ambition for better human development outcomes and increased human capital, as well as providing the conditions to unlock its economic potential. Cambodia has made considerable progress in reducing poverty and improving human development outcomes, but its human development indicators continue to lag behind those of other lower middle-income countries  and neighbours in ASEAN.  

Strong national and subnational institutions, supported by good governance, will be critical to address Cambodia's key human development challenges and deliver long-term, resilient and sustainable growth. The Cambodian Government is committed to achieving this vision by strengthening the systems, policies, governance and capabilities that underpin public institutions and increase the overall capacity of the public service.

The Australia–Cambodia Development Partnership Plan (DPP) 2025–2029 translates into action the development priorities Australia shares with Cambodia. It builds on a deep and enduring partnership of more than 70 years of diplomatic relations.

DFAT commissioned an independent review of its support to IDPoor Phase 3 in 2023 to assess performance and provide a forward-looking assessment of social protection priorities for Cambodia to inform DFAT’s future social protection policy engagement and programming in this space.