Krakor District, Pursat August 14, 2018 (as prepared for delivery) H.E. Dr. Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health; H.E. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and 1st Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victims Assistance Authority (CMAA); H.E. Dr. Mau Thaknin, Governor of Pursat Province; Mr. Ben Vanna, Mayor of Krakor District; Dr. Khoy Dy, Director …

U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh April 24, 2018 Good morning everyone, and thanks for joining us for our 2018 Earth Day celebration!  Today we are excited to officially launch the U.S. Embassy’s new solar panel system and to host our annual Recycled Products Bazaar and Farmers Market! Thank you especially to your Excellency Khut Chandara, Undersecretary …

Hun Sen Chrey Hor Pnov High School, Kampong Speu March 22, 2018 Your Excellency Hun Many, President, Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia and Member of the National Assembly from Kampong Speu province; Mr. David Wigglesworth, CEO of the Cambodia Beverage Company; Mr. Mark Steele, CEO of Planet Water; Mr. Khut Khemrin, Head Master of …

Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Phnom Penh March 4, 2018 Your Excellency Dr. Im Koch from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport; Ms. Hout Siekhuoy, President of the Fulbright and Undergraduate State Alumni Association of Cambodia and other members of FUSAAC; Students, parents, and volunteers; ladies and gentlemen. Good morning everyone and welcome to …

Himawari Hotel, Phnom Penh February 28, 2018 Good morning everyone! Your Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, thank you for joining us today. YSEALI members from across ASEAN – Welcome to Cambodia and to the YSEALI Regional Workshop on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education! Pouk niset Khmae nuleynaw? Chraaln nah! Pouk Khmae chaalat dzieng gey! …

Chief of Mission Residence, Phnom Penh February 27, 2018 Welcome H.E. Im Koch, Secretary of State at MOEYS, and other colleagues from the RGC; Amb Bill Longhurst and other colleagues from diplomatic community; representatives of the private sector, universities and other educational institutions, civil society, tech community; and of course Visal Phork (admin director of …

American Education Center, Phnom Penh December 29, 2017 Good morning everyone! I am very happy to be here at AEC this morning for this special graduation ceremony for the English Access Microscholarship Program. Today we are celebrating your hard work and accomplishments over the past two years. But first I would like to acknowledge some …

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum December 8, 2017 Good morning everyone and thank you very much for coming out this morning. In particular, I would like to thank His Excellency Chuch Phoeurn for his remarks and for being with us today to represent the Minister of Culture and Fine Arts. I would also like to recognize …

Ambassador’s Residence November 21, 2017 H.E. Ing Kantha Phavi, Charge’ Rajiv Kumar, Okhna Madam Lim Chiv Ho, Okhna Keo Mom, Ms. Pok Nanda, other distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen. Thank you all for coming to honor Cambodia’s seven member, all-female delegation to the upcoming Global Entrepreneur Summit, or “GES” as it’s called. 2nd women’s entrepreneurship …

Royal University of Agriculture, Phnom Penh October 18, 2017 (as prepared for delivery) H.E. Veng Sokhon, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dr. Ngo Bunthan, Rector, Royal University of Agriculture Faculty, students, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen I’m delighted to be here this morning with Minister Veng Sokhon, Rector Dr. Ngo Bunthan and the students …

Bopea Studios, Phnom Penh September 28, 2017 (As prepared for delivery) H.E. Pheng Sovicheano, Secretary of State, Ministry of Public Works and Transport; Mr. Brooks Entwistle, Chief Business Officer Asia Pacific, Uber Technologies, Inc.; Mr. Damian Kassabgi, Director, Public Policy, Asia Pacific, Uber Technologies, Inc.; Mr. Thomas Hundt, Chief Executive Officer, Smart Axiata Co., Ltd.; …

Himawari Hotel, Phnom Penh September 15, 2017 (as prepared for delivery) Peace Corps staff, distinguished guests and most importantly the Peace Corps trainees and Volunteers, I am honored to participate in the swearing-in ceremony for the 11th cohort of Peace Corps Volunteers in Cambodia. Your Excellencies, your presence makes clear the importance our two countries …

Himawari Hotel, Phnom Penh September 1, 2017 (as prepared for delivery) Your Excellency, Kong Vibol, Director General of the General Department of Taxation, and other representatives of the Cambodian government; H.E. Rajiv Kumar, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of India (and fellow parent of a 14-year old boy); AmCham President Mr. Charles Esterhoy, InCham President …

InterContinental Hotel, Phnom Penh June 29, 2017 (as prepared for delivery) Your Excellency Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and Second Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victims Assistance Authority, Your Royal Highnesses, other distinguished representatives of the Cambodian government, fellow members of the diplomatic corps, the private sector, and civil society, ladies and gentlemen. …

Institute of Technology of Cambodia June 25, 2017 (as prepared for delivery) Your Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport; Mr. You Sokpanha, President of the Fulbright and Undergraduate State Alumni Association of Cambodia and other members of FUSAAC; Distinguished guests, students, parents, and volunteers. Good morning everyone and welcome to …

Ambassador’s Residence, Phnom Penh June 19, 2017 (as prepared for delivery) Good evening and Ramadan Kareem – thank you Your Excellency Sem Sokha for your remarks. I am honored to mark the holy month of Ramadan with so many friends from Cambodia’s Muslim community. Ramadan is the holiest month in Muslim faith and is a …

Hard Rock Café, Siem Reap June 13, 2017 (as delivered) Mr. Governor, Mr. Minister, my wife Sotie and I are thrilled to be hosting this event to showcase the strong and growing ties between the United States and the very special city of Siem Reap. This reception is also an early Independence Day party as …

Center for Khmer Studies (CKS), Siem Reap June 13, 2017 (as delivered) Good afternoon and thank you all for coming to the first-ever EducationUSA student fair in Siem Reap! I’d like to thank Mr. Ourng Kimsoeurn from the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Education Youth, and Sport, to the Center for Khmer Studies, and to …

Le Meridien Hotel, Siem Reap June 13, 2017 (as delivered) Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.  Thank you so much for joining us today for our America Day in Siem Reap Wine tasting event. First, I would like to recognize and thank our distributors for being here today.  We have Hung Hiep, the exclusive distributor of …

InterContinental Phnom Penh May 16, 2017 (as prepared for delivery) Your Excellency Senior Minister Ly Thuch and other colleagues from the CMAA; Your Excellency Secretary of State Ouch Borith and other colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Your Excellency Director General Heng Ratana and other representatives from CMAC and other mine …

U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh April 26, 2017 (as prepared for delivery) H.E. Keo Rottanak, Director General of Electricite Du Cambodge; H.E. Victor Jona, Director General, Ministry of Mines and Energy; Ambassador Hidehisa Horinouchi of the Embassy of Japan; Mr. Ruzaimi Mohamad, Minister Counselor, Embassy of Malaysia; Dato Sean H’ng, Group Chief Executive Officer, HNG Capital …

Raffles Hotel Le Royal April 4, 2017 (as prepared for delivery) Your Excellency Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce and other colleagues from the Ministry; Senior representatives of other Royal Government of Cambodia Ministries; Fellow development partners and representatives of the private sector; Ladies and Gentlemen. Good morning. I am delighted to join you today in …

Improving Labor Dispute Resolution System – Harmonizing Industrial Relations Raffles Hotel Le Royal February 27, 2017 (as prepared for delivery) Your Excellency Ith Sam Heng, Minister of Labor and Vocational Training; Ambassador Maria Sargren and other distinguished members of the diplomatic community; Mr. Men Nimmith, Executive Director of the Arbitration Council Foundation; Distinguished colleagues from …

Siem Reap January 12, 2017 (as prepared for delivery) Good afternoon everyone. On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, I would like to thank you all for coming to this opening ceremony for our new English Access students. Thank you to the Access Administrator Mr. Dim Bunthorng and Access Teacher Mr. Tout Lisovaanda for inviting us …

Coca-Cola Factory, Phnom Penh December 5, 2016 (as prepared for delivery) SAMDECH AKKA MOHA SENA PADEI TECHO HUN SEN, PRIME MINISTER OF CAMBODIA, Your Excellency Cham Prasith, Senior Minister and Minister of Industry and Handicrafts, Mr. Irial Finan,  Executive Vice President of The Coca-Cola Company, deputy prime ministers, ministers and colleagues from the Royal Government …

Phnom Penh December 1, 2016 Lok Dzum Teow Men Sam An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the National Assembly, Senate Relations and Inspection and high representative of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen; His Excellency Ieng Mouly, Senior Minister in charge of Special Mission and Chairman of the National Aids Authority; Distinguished …

WECREATE Cambodia, Phnom Penh November 30, 2016 Your Excellency Dr. ING Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women’s affairs, representatives of WeCreate, distinguished guests, mentors, and women entrepreneurs, ladies and gentlemen—good morning. I am delighted to be here with you today to sign this Memorandum of Understanding recognizing our shared commitment to supporting WECREATE. I’m particularly delighted …

Himawari Hotel, Phnom Penh November 22, 2016 Your Excellency Suy Sem, Minister of Mines and Energy; Your Excellency Victor Jona, Director General of the Ministry of Mines and Energy; Mr. Wouter Van Wersch, GE ASEAN President and CEO; Mr. Dararith Lim, GE Cambodia Country Leader; distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen. Thank you very much for …

Sihanoukville November 4, 2016 Your Excellency Admiral Tea Vinh, Major General Steven Rudder, distinguished guests and members of the Royal Cambodian and U.S. Armed Forces, arun suasdey, good morning to all! Thank you very much for inviting me to take place in the closing ceremony for the 2016 Cooperation and Readiness Afloat Training, or CARAT, …

U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh October 30, 2016 Good morning and thank you all for coming to participate in our EducationUSA and Grade A Student Fair. Thank you to the Minister of Education Youth, and Sport, H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, and his designee, Undersecretary of State Lav Chhiv Eav, for your commitment to improving education …

(as delivered) Sokha Hotel, Phnom Penh October 19, 2016 Your Excellency Sok Siphana; delegates from the Royal Government of Cambodia; delegates from Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam; members of the U.S. delegation; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. For those of you who have traveled from near and far, I would like to welcome you to …

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra October 18, 2016 Your Excellency Ith Samheng, Minister of Labor and Vocational Training; Your Excellency Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce; Okhna Van Sou Ieng, Chairman of the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia, distinguished representatives of the Royal Government of Cambodia, distinguished representatives of the International Labour Organization and Better Factories Cambodia …

(As Prepared for Delivery) Phnom Penh October 11, 2016 Your Excellency Say Samal, Minister of Environment, TakahisaTsugawa, Chargés d’Affaires ad interim, Embassy of Japan, Setsuko Yamazaki, Country Director, UNDP Cambodia Development partners Ladies and Gentlemen Thank you very much for opportunity to be with you to launch the Environmental Governance Reform and Sustainable Development project. …

(delivered in Khmer) Angkor Borei, Takeo September 27, 2016 Good morning and thank you all for being here today. Thank you especially to Her Excellency Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, for organizing today’s event and for the Ministry’s long partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. I congratulate you and your …

Raintree, Phnom Penh September 24, 2016 Good morning, everyone! It’s a pleasure to be here to kick off TechCamp Cambodia H2.0. I would first like to thank His Excellency Eang Sophalleth, Under Secretary of State for the Ministry of Environment, for joining us today. Under the strong leadership of Minister Say Samal –who represented Cambodia …

American University of Phnom Penh September 1, 2016 Dr. Chea Vandith, founder of the American University of Phnom Penh; Vice President of Academic Affairs, Mr. Nial Farrell; Professor Brent White, Vice Provost for International Education at the University of Arizona; AUPP students and teachers, members of the media, ladies and gentleman. I’m delighted to be …

Royal University of Phnom Penh August 17, 2016 Good morning everyone. I’m delighted to be here at the launch of the Microsoft Student Partners program in Cambodia and to be in the company of our friends at the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports; STEM Cambodia; and of course, Microsoft. I’m particularly pleased that we …

(As Prepared for Delivery) Phnom Penh August 11, 2016 Good afternoon Your Excellency Say Samal, Minister of Environment, Your Excellency Dr. Sam Ang Chea, [Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment], Mr. Ross Sinclair, members of the media, and invited guests. Thank you all very much for joining us today to witness the signing …

Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel July 1, 2016 Your Excellency Prak Sokhon, Senior Minister and Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, other distinguished representatives of the Cambodian government, fellow members of the diplomatic corps, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much for joining us tonight at the U.S. Embassy’s celebration of the 240th anniversary …

National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC), Phnom Penh June 14, 2016 His Excellency Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health; His Excellency Hun Many, President of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia; Dr. Hok Kimcheng, Director of the National Blood Transfusion Center; Dr. Dong Il Ahn, World Health Organization Representative in Cambodia; Brigadier General Milhorn from the …

(As Prepared for Delivery) Northbridge International School Cambodia, Phnom Penh June 4, 2016 Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen! I would like to thank you all joining us for today’s American Summerfest – a time for Celebration and Remembrance. Throughout the United States, the summer months are enjoyed relaxing outdoors with friends. We delight in eating …

(As Prepared for Delivery) InterContinental Hotel, Phnom Penh June 2, 2016 Deputy Prime Minister, His Excellency Yim Chhay Ly, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for joining me today to celebrate the first five years of “Feed the Future” in Cambodia. Feed the Future is the U.S. government’s signature initiative to address global …

Raffles Hotel Le Royal May 8, 2017 His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia. Her Majesty the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk of Cambodia. Members of the royal families, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is truly an honor for Sotie and I to be here this evening in the …

(As Prepared for Delivery) U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh April 22, 2016 Mr. Keo Rattanak, Chairman of Electricity du Cambodia; distinguished guests; Embassy colleagues; ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining us today to celebrate Earth Day and the 10th anniversary of this beautiful embassy compound.  This embassy building is a physical symbol of the strong …

(As Prepared for Delivery) Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), Phnom Penh March 30, 2016 H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon, H.E. Chieng Yanara, Deputy Secretary General of Council for the Development of Cambodia, distingquished representatives from the Royal Government of Cambodia, USAID Mission Director Rebecca Black and colleagues from the U.S. Embassy, ladies …

(As Prepared for Delivery) March 25, 2016 His Excellency General Meas Sophea, Major General McCaffrey, senior leaders of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, members of the international military attaché corps, and our other distinguished visitors present, good morning. It is an honor to be here today to witness in person the success of Angkor Sentinel, …

(As Prepared for Delivery) Kampong Cham February 16, 2016 His Excellency Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health, His Excellency Lun Lem Thai, Governor of Kampong Cham Province, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much for inviting me to participate in this ceremony today.  Today is a proud day for Cambodia that shows the progress …

Siem Reap January 18, 2016 H.E. Sok Sangvar, colleagues from the Apsara Authority and the World Monument Fund, ladies and gentlemen. Sotie and I are delighted to be with you all this evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the World Monuments Fund. It’s a particular honor to be standing in front of the incomparable …

(As Prepared for Delivery) Royal University of Phnom Penh December 30, 2015 Your Excellency Minister Hang Chuon Naron, Dr. Stephen Wolfram, Dr. Chan Roth and members of the Cambodian Mathematical Society, Allen Tan, ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to be here this afternoon for this special presentation by Dr. Stephen Wolfram, who as you …

(As Prepared for Delivery) To His Excellency Minister Hang Chuon Naron, members of the Fulbright and Undergraduate State Alumni Association of Cambodia, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning and thank you very much for inviting me to speak at this year’s FUSAAC Education Convention. It is an honor to be here with you all …

Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh December 3, 2015 H.E. Chhuon Chanthan, Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Good morning, and welcome to the inaugural U.S. – Cambodia Strategic Trade Control Awareness Seminar, sponsored by the United States Embassy here in Phnom Penh. It is an honor for me to be here with you this …

(As Prepared for Delivery) U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh September 25, 2015 Excellency IM Koch, Excellency Dr. Or Vandine, Mr. Mok Sarom, Peace Corps Volunteers and staff, distinguished guests and most importantly the Peace Corps trainees, welcome to the swearing-in ceremony for the 9th cohort of Peace Corps Volunteers in Cambodia. Thank you all for coming. …

As Prepared for Delivery U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh July 4, 2015 Thank you, Jay. Please give another round of applause to Musician Third Class Holden Moyer and the Don Bosco Children’s Choir for their wonderful performances. Your Excellency Samdech Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior; Your Royal Highnesses; Excellencies; Honored Guests; Ladies and …

As Prepared for Delivery Royal Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap April 22, 2015 His Excellency Dr. Im Koch, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Education, His Excellency Tin Ponlok, Secretary General for the National Council for Green Growth, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning, everyone.  It is my honor to be here with you …

As Prepared for Delivery Night Market, Phnom Penh January 31, 2015 Good evening, everyone. It is great to see so many of you here tonight for the Wild for Life Concert! I can see the Night Market has been transformed here for this special event. The U.S. Embassy is proud to support this concert, thanks …