Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has declared that cyber scams, a new phenomenon post-COVID-19, will not be allowed to undermine national development and honor. Speaking at an international conference in Phnom Penh on September 23, 2026, he emphasized the government's commitment to eradicating these criminal networks and the importance of global cooperation.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered Cambodia's economic growth forecast for 2026 to 3.9% due to a slower-than-expected recovery in tourism and related services. However, it projects growth to rebound to 4.7% by 2027, driven by robust manufacturing exports and continued foreign direct investment.
International crude oil prices have fallen below $100 per barrel, with Brent crude at $98.16 and WTI at $89.01. This decline is attributed to Saudi Arabia's restored oil pipeline and optimism surrounding diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran, signaling a potential resolution to the conflict.
Sakor, a 34-year-old male elephant at Cambodia's Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center, passed away on the night of September 22, 2026, due to an illness. The center expressed profound sadness and is investigating the exact cause of death.
Heavy overnight rainfall on September 23rd caused flooding in multiple government buildings in Serei Sophoan City, Banteay Meanchey Province. Authorities are preparing for potential resident evacuations and urging high vigilance.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with former US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, discussing possibilities for an early end to the Russian invasion. Both leaders exchanged views on de-escalation and resuming diplomatic negotiations.
Crude oil prices fell below $100 per barrel following reports of constructive talks between the US and Iran at the UN, coupled with the restart of a key Saudi pipeline. While direct impact on Cambodia's economy is seen as limited, international energy price trends remain a point of attention.
Cambodian police have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old boy. The incident occurred on September 6, 2026, with the victim sustaining fatal stab wounds. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend remaining accomplices.
Cambodia is moving to establish a Cambodia Productive Economy Community (CPEC) to enhance national economic and industrial productivity through closer cooperation between government, private companies, and industries. This initiative is crucial for boosting competitiveness and driving industrial transformation as the nation prepares to graduate from LDC status by 2029.
Cambodia has been invited to join INTERPOL's newly established "Task Force Shadow Storm," its first dedicated unit against online fraud. This inclusion recognizes Cambodia's progress in combating such crimes. Participants will collaborate at INTERPOL's Singapore hub for intelligence sharing and operational cooperation.
Cambodia's Minister of Inspection, Sok Soken, convened a meeting with senior officials to discuss preparations for an upcoming high-level visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The minister emphasized thorough planning to ensure a successful and fruitful trip.
Enhanced cooperation between Cambodia and the United States has significantly boosted arrests and extraditions across Asia, according to a senior FBI official. Speaking at an international conference in Phnom Penh, he emphasized the critical role of international partnerships in combating cross-border online fraud.
Cambodian Minister of Public Works and Transport, Peng Ponea, met with Ms. Kim-See Lim, Director of Investment at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), during his visit to China for the Global Sustainable Transport Forum. The discussions focused on project progress under AIIB financing and future cooperation, with both sides agreeing to strengthen their partnership.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet invoked 'hard truths' at the opening of an anti-scam conference, highlighting the severity of fraud issues and the government's commitment to addressing them.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met with Huawei's President for Southeast Asia on September 23, 2026, to discuss cooperation in digital technology. Huawei, a major Chinese tech firm, plays a significant role in Cambodia's digitalization efforts.
Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha proposed 10 points to combat online scams at an international conference. The proposals focus on enhancing information sharing, financial investigations, and border control, aiming to strengthen international collaboration. Cambodia has been actively cracking down on scam operations, with numerous raids and deportations of foreign nationals involved in such crimes.
INTERPOL has lauded Cambodia's progress in combating online scams and invited the nation to join a new global task force. Cambodia's efforts in legislation and international cooperation have yielded positive results, fostering expectations for strengthened collaboration against worldwide fraud.
Cambodia's Ministry of Interior is planning to establish a new national center to combat the global rise of tech-based scams, signaling a firm stance against cybercrime within the country.
The UNODC Regional Representative highlighted that annual losses from online scams in the Asia-Pacific region reach $114 billion. Cambodia is intensifying its countermeasures and calling for international cooperation through hosting a global conference.
A delegation from the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia (FASMEC) met with the Cambodian Ambassador to Myanmar to discuss expanding business opportunities for Cambodian SMEs in the Myanmar market. The ambassador pledged to provide information on Myanmar's business environment and support Cambodian companies looking to enter the market.
Cambodia's Techo International Airport will host the 'Tourism Expo 2026' from September 23-27, 2026, under the theme 'We All for Tourism.' The event, featuring 26 companies, aims to strengthen collaboration within the tourism sector and promote Cambodia's diverse attractions.
Cambodia is intensifying its fight against the surge in online scams by planning to establish a national center. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior outlined four key reasons for the rise in scams and announced the initiative. The international conference stressed the importance of global cooperation.
Cambodia's government spokesperson emphasized the importance for youth to cultivate not only specialized knowledge and skills but also discipline, morality, loyalty, and patriotism, as part of the human capital development strategy towards achieving the 2050 vision.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet strongly condemned the misuse of anti-online scam efforts as a pretext for aggression or territorial occupation. Speaking at an international conference, he emphasized respect for sovereignty and international law, highlighting the importance of global cooperation.
Cambodia's Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training has concluded a forum aimed at promoting gender equality, women's empowerment, and decent work as the nation targets graduation from LDC status in 2029. Enhancing women's skills and ensuring safe working environments are deemed crucial to meet rising international market demands.
China has lauded Cambodia's stepped-up efforts against cyber fraud and urged for enhanced international cooperation. Both nations are deepening collaboration to dismantle transnational scam networks.
The upcoming Tourism Expo 2026, scheduled for September 23, 2026, at Techo International Airport, is set to be a significant opportunity to showcase Cambodia's rich attractions to a global audience, fostering further development in its tourism sector.
Cambodia hosted the International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS) on September 23, 2026, highlighting the global nature of cybercrime. Prime Minister Hun Manet stressed that no single nation can tackle this issue alone, urging international cooperation.
Cambodia is prioritizing youth development to achieve its 2050 vision. Government spokesperson Pen Bona stressed the importance of instilling discipline, morality, integrity, and patriotism alongside specialized knowledge and skills, aligning with the "Pentagonal Strategy's" focus on human capital development.
An FBI official highlighted strengthened US-Cambodia cooperation as a key driver behind a surge in arrests and extraditions of online scam networks across Asia, citing trust and shared responsibility as crucial for success.
Over 150 outstanding Cambodian students gathered for the 'Meet & Greet with Mony 2026' event, exchanging information on higher education, scholarships, and digital economy careers. Supported by the Ministry of Education and others, the event provided opportunities for youth to forge their futures.
Koh Kong Provincial Gendarmerie has conducted an awareness campaign on the negative impacts of drug abuse among workers in the province's Special Economic Zone (SEZ), aiming to prevent drug-related issues and their spread within the community.
Prime Minister Hun Manet firmly declared Cambodia will not be a 'safe haven' for online scams, vowing international cooperation for eradication. Authorities have frozen over $300 million in assets and prosecuted numerous suspects since July last year.
The Phnom Penh Declaration on combating online scams is set to be adopted tomorrow at an international conference in Phnom Penh, with delegates from 27 nations and 7 international organizations participating to strengthen global cooperation against these threats.
The UNODC highlighted that online scams are a major revenue source for organized crime, causing an estimated $114 billion in annual losses across East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. An international conference in Cambodia stressed the need for enhanced countermeasures and international cooperation.
Cambodia's 'Skills for Competitiveness Project (S4C)' has significantly exceeded its targets over a six-year period, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the French Development Agency (AFD). Notable achievements include improvements in vocational training quality, graduate employment rates, and wage increases.