28/08/2026
Britain Reaffirms Support for Cambodia, as Hun Manet Briefs UK Minister on Border Situation
PHNOM PENH, 27 August 2026 — The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Cambodia’s socio-economic development and mine and unexploded ordnance clearance efforts, as British Minister for the Indo-Pacific Baroness Winterton met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh on Thursday.
Baroness Winterton, Minister for the Indo-Pacific at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, paid a courtesy call and held talks with Hun Manet at the Peace Palace on 27 August.
During the meeting, the British minister praised the longstanding diplomatic relations and strong cooperation between the two countries, describing Cambodia as the first country she has visited in her working capacity as Minister for the Indo-Pacific.
Baroness Winterton welcomed Cambodia’s openness and commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation and exploring new opportunities and areas of mutual interest. She reaffirmed that the UK will continue supporting Cambodia’s socio-economic development, as well as mine and unexploded ordnance clearance activities.
The British minister also commended the Cambodian government for its continued assistance to displaced people affected by the Cambodia–Thailand border conflict, particularly efforts to ensure that children can continue receiving education while displaced by the conflict.
In response, Hun Manet welcomed the progress in bilateral relations and cooperation across multiple sectors and expressed appreciation for the UK government’s provision of scholarships for Cambodian students to pursue their studies in the United Kingdom.
The Cambodian prime minister described Baroness Winterton’s visit as an important opportunity to further strengthen bilateral ties and reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to expanding cooperation in areas with further potential.
The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation in education, tourism, security and defence, mine and unexploded ordnance clearance, people-to-people exchanges, and private-sector-to-private-sector connectivity.
Before concluding the meeting, Hun Manet briefed the British minister on the latest developments along the Cambodia–Thailand border, reiterating Cambodia’s commitment to resolving the border issue peacefully, in accordance with international law and existing conventions, treaties and agreements between the two countries.
