Executive Summary The constitution states Buddhism is the state religion. The law provides for freedom of belief and religious worship, provided such freedom neither interferes with others’ beliefs and religions nor violates public order and security. The law does not allow non-Buddhist denominations to proselytize publicly. A government directive restricts monks from participating in political …

The United States is deeply troubled by the conviction of respected Cambodian political leader Kem Sokha. The multi-year process to silence Kem Sokha, based on a fabricated conspiracy, is a miscarriage of justice. Denying Kem Sokha and other political figures their freedom of expression and association undermines Cambodia’s constitution, international commitments, and past progress to …

February 13, 2023 We are deeply troubled by the abrupt decision to revoke Voice of Democracy’s (VOD) media license. A free and independent press plays a critical role in a functioning democracy, providing the public and decisionmakers with facts and holding governments to account. For more than 20 years, VOD has provided objective, fact-based reporting …

DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson   For Immediate Release    FACT SHEET  November 12, 2022  The United States-Cambodia Relationship  President Biden’s participation in the annual U.S.-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit (EAS) will take place November 12-13 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the 2022 ASEAN Chair.  In 1950, the United States was among the first …

PRESS STATEMENT ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE NOVEMBER 8, 2022 On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my best wishes to the people of Cambodia as you celebrate 69 years of independence on November 9. The United States commends Cambodia for its leadership of ASEAN during a challenging year. We value our cooperation with Cambodia in jointly …

Deadline of Concept Note (Round 1): December 12, 2022  Federal Award Agency: U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh  Announcement Type: Grant Notice  Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-CB-600-23-PAS-0001 Funding Opportunity Title: Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Grants Program Opportunity Category: Discretionary Funding Instrument Type: Grant  Program Authorization: Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (P.L. 87-256, …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  September 14, 2022.  The United States government has funded a new oxygen plant in Preah Vihear province, northern Cambodia which will benefit close to 300,000 people.  The facility, funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is located at the 16 Makara Provincial Hospital, and was developed in partnership with UNICEF …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  August 16, 2022. Phnom Penh — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a new initiative to support Cambodia’s criminal justice responders investigate and prosecute human trafficking crimes today. The new initiative – to be overseen by the International Justice Mission (IJM) – is a part of USAID’s Cambodia Countering Trafficking …

First comprehensive study of Asian elephant populations in Prey Lang, Chhaeb, and Prey Rhoka Wildlife Sanctuaries finds higher than expected elephant populations      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kampong Thom (August 12, 2022) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Flora & Fauna International (FFI) are celebrating World Elephant Day 2022 by announcing the findings …

August 9, 2022.  Today in Phnom Penh, U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy and H.E. Veng Sakhon, Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries officially launched a new, $25 million project that aims to promote sustainable, broad-based economic growth by increasing diversification and competitiveness in Cambodia’s agriculture sector.  Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest III – …

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. EMBASSY PHNOM PENH Notice of Funding Opportunity  Program Office: Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh Funding Opportunity Title:  Call for Proposals – Workshops to Stop the Spread of mis/disinformation” Funding Opportunity Number: CB600-22-PAS-0002 Deadline for Applications: September 14, 2022 CFDA Number:  19.040 – Public Diplomacy Programs Total Amount Available: …

PRESS STATEMENT NED PRICE, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON JULY 29, 2022 Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Cambodia, the Philippines, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda August 2-12, 2022. Secretary Blinken will first travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, August 3-5 to participate in the U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN …

OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON JULY 25, 2022 The following is the text of a joint statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union, and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, condemning the military regime’s execution of pro-democracy and opposition leaders in Myanmar. Begin text: …

PRESS STATEMENT ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE JULY 25, 2022 The United States condemns in the strongest terms the Burma military regime’s executions of pro-democracy activists and elected leaders Ko Jimmy, Phyo Zeya Thaw, Hla Myo Aung, and Aung Thura Zaw for the exercise of their fundamental freedoms. These reprehensible acts of violence further exemplify the regime’s complete disregard for …

For Immediate Release July 11, 2022 MEDIA NOTE Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink will travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Tokyo, Japan, July 11-15. In Phnom Penh, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink will meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and other senior officials to discuss bilateral relations, …

For Immediate Release May 24, 2022  The U.S. Senate on May 12 unanimously passed a resolution to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements, which ended decades of conflict and put Cambodia on a path to peace, stability, and prosperity.  The bipartisan resolution was sponsored by Senators Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, …

STATEMENTS AND RELEASES MAY 13, 2022 WE, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States gather on the occasion of the ASEAN-U.S. Special Summit, the first-ever to be held in Washington, D.C., on 12-13 May 2022. EMPHASIZING the importance of adhering to key principles, shared values and norms enshrined in the Charter of …

MAY 12, 2022 STATEMENTS AND RELEASES President Biden will welcome the leaders of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) for a historic U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit, held for the first time in Washington D.C. and at the White House, to re-affirm the United States’ enduring commitment to Southeast Asia and underscore the importance of U.S.-ASEAN cooperation in ensuring security, …

MEDIA NOTE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON APRIL 29, 2022 Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink will travel to Cambodia and Laos May 1-7.  The visits will highlight U.S. commitment to two of the youngest and most dynamic societies in the region, reinforcing ASEAN centrality, underscoring the United States’ commitment to the Mekong-U.S. …

SPEECHES AND REMARKS  Read the full strategy here  “We envision an Indo-Pacific that is open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure—and we are ready to work together with each of you to achieve it.” President Joe Biden East Asia Summit October 27, 2021 The Biden-Harris Administration has made historic strides to restore American leadership in the Indo-Pacific and adapt its role for the 21st century. …

A joint statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union, and the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, on the one year anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar. On 1 February 2021, the military seized power in …

For Immediate Release  August 9, 2021  2021/13  PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Today, the United States—through the United States Agency for International Development—announced an additional $4 million in urgent COVID-19 assistance for Cambodia.  This assistance will provide timely support, particularly in light of the United States’ recent donation of 1,060,100 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine through COVAX, to increase Cambodia’s …

For Immediate Release  May 21, 2021  PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, The Asia Foundation, and the National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations (NIDIR) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation launched a joint workshop today on diplomatic tradecraft to promote the exchange of ideas and best practices in key areas and enhance cooperation with Cambodia.  Leaders from 15 diplomatic, multilateral, think-tank, …

Executive Summary The constitution states Buddhism is the state religion, and it is promoted by the government through holiday observances, religious training, Buddhist instruction in public schools, and financial support to Buddhist institutions. The law provides for freedom of belief and religious worship, provided such freedom neither interferes with others’ beliefs and religions nor violates …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  February 28, 2021  The U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has launched a new private sector competition for agricultural partnerships that addresses key challenges in Cambodia’s agriculture sector including cold chain, storage capacity, and logistics.   “The United States is a long-standing partner to Cambodia and its agriculture sector,” …

February 23, 2021 Supporting a Healthy, Sustainable Mekong River The United States supports transparency and accountability in managing transboundary resources. For decades, these values have guided our work to promote the health and sustainability of the Mekong River and the nearly 70 million people whose livelihoods depend on it. We share the concerns of Mekong …

For Immediate Release  February 22, 2021  2021/05  U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, Public Affairs Section, of the U.S. Department of State is looking for organizations to submit grant proposals to produce a report, study, or documentary that marks the 30th anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreements on October 23, 2021; analyzes and assesses Cambodia’s progress to date in meeting …

For Immediate Release December 23, 2020  U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh’s Public Affairs Section is pleased to broadcast a very special circus performance by Phare PonleuSelpak artists to highlight the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cambodia.  The video was broadcast on Facebook Live on Dec. 22.  This delightful video project supports the …

PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 China is the world’s largest emitter of environmental pollution including of greenhouse gases and the exploitation of natural resources around the globe.  Today, the United States again took action by imposing sanctions on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-owned Union Development Group, Ltd. (UDG) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which …

September 15, 2020   WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated one Chinese state-owned entity, Union Development Group Co., Ltd. (UDG), for seizure and demolition of local Cambodians’ land for the construction of the Dara Sakor development project. OFAC designated this People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-owned entity …

Thursday, September 3, 2020   Phnom Penh, Cambodia  Thank you everyone for coming, and especially the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia for hosting this event. It has been a while since I’ve seen many of you and it’s great to see familiar faces in the crowd including friends from the Royal Government.  I would like to acknowledge the presence of the honored guests:   H.E. Pan Sorasak from the Ministry of …

READOUT OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus: On Friday, September 11, the United States, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the ASEAN Secretariat launched the Mekong-U.S. Partnership.  The Partnership will expand on cooperation begun in 2009 under the Lower Mekong Initiative by strengthening the autonomy, economic independence, and sustainable …

September 14, 2020 International Day of Democracy In recognition of the International Day of Democracy on September 15, we reaffirm the right of every citizen to take part in the processes of democratic self-governance.  Democracies are accountable to their citizens.  They respect the Rule of Law, protect lives and property, and respect the freedoms, dignity, …

USAID partners with ASEAN to lift regional inclusive growth, while strengthening rules-based systems in support of a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through the USAID/ASEAN Office, recently signed the first Regional Development Cooperation Agreement between USAID and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to achieve three key …

The U.S. Embassy, Phnom Penh will hold an online auction of various used items for the general public. Location of the Sale The online auction will be posted on the website: https://online-auction.state.gov/km-KH Date and Time of Sale The Online Auction will be open bidding from August 31, 2020. @ 08:00 to September 4, 2020. @ 13:00.  …

PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE AUGUST 7, 2020 The Chinese Communist Party has made clear that Hong Kong will never again enjoy the high degree of autonomy that Beijing itself promised to the Hong Kong people and the United Kingdom for 50 years. President Trump has made clear that the United States will therefore treat Hong Kong as …

PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE AUGUST 6, 2020 On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I am pleased to congratulate the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Secretariat on the 53rd anniversary of the founding of ASEAN on August 8.  For decades, ASEAN has fostered a …

 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY MICHAEL R. POMPEO (AUG 5) August 5, 2020 U.S. Economic and Humanitarian Assistance Boost U.S. Leadership in Continued Global COVID-19 Response Efforts The United States continues to lead the world in the fight against COVID-19, with $20.5 billion now allocated from across the U.S. Government to benefit the global response. This incredible …

For Immediate Release STATEMENT BY SECRETARY MICHAEL R. POMPEO July 26, 2020 30th Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act Thirty years ago today, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law.  The ADA broke down barriers to access and opportunity, enabling millions of Americans with disabilities to utilize their talents and skills and contribute …

Cambodia (Tier 2 Watch List) The Government of Cambodia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. These efforts included continuing to prosecute and convict traffickers; establishing a new five-year action plan to combat trafficking; and developing and utilizing new victim identification and …

REMARKS DAVID R. STILWELL, ASSISTANT SECRETARY BUREAU OF EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (VIRTUAL) JULY 14, 2020 Remarks as prepared INTRODUCTION Thank you, Greg. I’m honored to join you. I commend CSIS for regularly convening leading thinkers on the Indo-Pacific and on the South China Sea in particular. …

PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE JULY 13, 2020 The United States champions a free and open Indo-Pacific. Today we are strengthening U.S. policy in a vital, contentious part of that region — the South China Sea. We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its …

JOINT PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT On the Signing of the 2020 Development Objective Agreement Grants between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of the United States of America Phnom Penh, Thursday, 25 June 2020, the Royal Government of Cambodia, through the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and the U.S. Government, through the U.S. …

Executive Summary The constitution states Buddhism is the state religion, and it is promoted by the government through holiday observances, religious training, Buddhist instruction in public schools, and financial support to Buddhist institutions. The law provides for freedom of belief and religious worship, provided such freedom neither interferes with others’ beliefs and religions nor violates …

For Immediate Release February 27, 2020 2020/08 U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh is pleased to announce the 2020 EducationUSA Fairs in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.  With support from U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh, EducationUSA Cambodia organized these fairs to highlight U.S. educational and exchange opportunities for Cambodian students. The fairs provide a unique venue for Cambodians …

Media advisory For Immediate Release March 1, 2019 The U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh and EducationUSA Cambodia will host the annual EducationUSA Fair 2019 on Monday, March 4, 2019 to highlight U.S. educational opportunities for Cambodian students. The Fair will provide a unique venue for Cambodians to connect with U.S. institutions of higher learning and to …