Cambodia Hosts ICCOS Conference, Emphasizing International Cooperation Against Cybercrime

Cambodia hosted the International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS) on the morning of September 23, 2026, at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Hotel. The conference was attended by numerous international guests, organizations, and representatives from various countries. During the opening ceremony, welcoming remarks were delivered by representatives from Cambodia, the United Nations, the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation and Law Enforcement Implementation Center, Interpol, the FBI, and the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China. Representatives from these international organizations expressed their consensus on combating online fraud, stating that online fraud is a global problem due to technological advancements, increasingly sophisticated scams, and a lack of legal mechanisms. They emphasized that no single country can resolve this issue alone and urged joint efforts. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet also delivered an opening address, stating that true leadership requires the courage to acknowledge and address challenges with strong commitment. Recalling Cambodia's past glory, he emphasized the significant responsibility of the Cambodian people to preserve Cambodia's honor and its legacy of resilience, peace, and progress. The Prime Minister reiterated that Cambodia will not become a safe haven for online fraud. He noted that online fraud did not originate in Cambodia but entered the country primarily through the growth of online gambling and casinos. It rapidly crossed borders through real estate and legal loopholes. Recognizing this issue, the government has been establishing internal command structures and developing its laws since 2025 to combat this crime, achieving successive successes. The Prime Minister urged international solidarity to combat online fraud, stressing that it should not be used as a pretext to suppress online scams for the purpose of invading neighboring countries, as this would constitute a violation of international law. "The issue of technological fraud should not be used by any country as a tool against another country," the Prime Minister stated. "Nor should the objective of combating technology be used as a pretext to attack or occupy the sovereign territory of any other country. This is a clear violation of the principles of international law." The Prime Minister also encouraged countries to strengthen information sharing, cooperate on financial investigations, establish legal procedures, build partnerships with banks and crypto markets, and enhance victim identification and repatriation efforts. The international conference currently being held in Cambodia is a two-day event concluding on September 24, with participation from 27 countries, 7 international organizations, and over 1,000 attendees. Article by Hun Sereyvath