3rd Philippines-Cambodia JCBC Meeting Reaffirms Bilateral Cooperation

2 December 2021, Phnom Penh – The Third Meeting of the Philippines-Cambodia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation was held on 1-2 December 2021 via videoconference.

Co-chairs Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. took stock of the areas of bilateral cooperation, such as on defense and security, trade and investment, agriculture and agribusiness, culture, and tourism. In addition, new areas of cooperation were identified, particularly on education and public health.

In his intervention, Secretary Locsin conveyed the President’s felicitations and expressed the Philippines’ full support for Cambodia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2022. He commented on how our strong bilateral relationship can facilitate the rebuilding of our respective economies after the pandemic. Secretary Locsin also conveyed deep appreciation to the Cambodian Government for hosting almost seven-thousand (7,000) overseas Filipino workers in the Kingdom, particularly in facilitating their seamless movement during their repatriation. He further emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to assist Cambodia in training and developing the capacities of its people.

For his part, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn encouraged more PH investment in Cambodia. Noting the PH’s leadership in providing quality nursing and healthcare services globally, he requested PH assistance in providing nursing courses and training programs.

In the sixty-four (64)  years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Philippines and Cambodia have concluded twenty (20) agreements across various fields of cooperation. Both Foreign Ministers expressed hope that existing agreements on law enforcement, agriculture and culture  can be effectively implemented and look forward to the conclusion of  new agreements covering cooperation in the field of public health and education. 

During the meeting, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Ambassador Benedicto V. Yujuico and Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) President Neak Oknha Kith Meng signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the respective business chambers which will contribute to the goal of increasing  bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.

The co-chairs further expressed their eager anticipation of the celebrations in 2022 to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of  Diplomatic Relations between Cambodia and the Philippines. END