Manet Urges AI Path Towards ‘Shared Prosperity, Brighter Future for All’

Prime Minister Hun Manet addressed a global conference on artificial intelligence (AI) in Shanghai, China, today July 17. He shared his appreciation for China’s constructive contributions to advancing international dialogue and cooperation on AI governance. Manet also called for AI to serve a bridge for global cooperation rather than a fault line for geopolitical divisions. While speaking at the 2026 World AI Conference, themed “AI Partnership for a Brighter Future”, he noted that AI is reshaping economies, public services, security and competitiveness at an unprecedented speed. But the challenge ahead, he suggested, is no longer whether AI will transform the future, but how it is possible to ensure that its benefits are realised equitably, responsibly and sustainably across all nations. “Cambodia values China’s constructive contributions to advancing international dialogue and cooperation on AI governance through initiatives such as the Global AI Governance Initiative and the Global AI Governance Action Plans. This initiative contributes to strengthening international multilateral cooperation and enhancing AI capacity building, particularly for developing countries and the Global South,” he said. He explained that Cambodia firmly believes that an open, inclusive and cooperative multilateral framework is essential to ensure that every country, regardless of its development level, can participate in and benefit from the AI revolutions. “True AI governance should strengthen international cooperation while respecting the diversity of national circumstances and localised development pathways,” he said. “We actively support an open and multi-aligned architecture that enables countries to cooperate fluently across regions, systems and government traditions,” he added. Cambodia, Manet noted, prioritises actionable growth. AI governance must transcend theoretical frameworks and declarations and deliver tangible, localised outcomes. To set the national priorities for AI governance, Manet said Cambodia will soon adopt its National AI Strategy to optimise productivity in the foundational sectors, improve quality of life and foster sustainable inclusive growth. “Concurrently, we are finalising laws on cybersecurity and personal data protection, which will further support Cambodia’s dynamic digital transformations while promoting robust investment, fair competition and trust in the digital economy,” he added. Manet urged strategic collaborations that will facilitate knowledge sharing, technology transfer, capacity building, joint research and targeted investment in emerging AI ecosystems. He proposed three practical priorities that should guide collective actions, including bridging the digital divide, heavy investment in human capital and building governance frameworks that are sensible, inclusive, adaptable and trustworthy. “As one of the first signatories to the agreement on the establishment of the WAICO, Cambodia stands ready to work shoulder to shoulder with China and all partners in advancing an AI future that is innovative, inclusive, secure, and respectful of national sovereignty. “Together, through authentic partnership, trust, ethics and practical cooperation, we can ensure that AI becomes a powerful force for shared prosperity and a brighter future for all,” he said.