Cambodia to Support Indonesian Candidate for WHO Director-General, Boosts Health Cooperation

On the morning of Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the 17th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting (AHMM), His Excellency Professor Chheang Ra, Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia, led a delegation in a bilateral meeting with His Excellency Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. During the meeting, His Excellency Budi informed His Excellency Chheang Ra about his nomination by the Indonesian government as a candidate for the position of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the 2027-2032 term, and requested the support of ASEAN countries, especially Cambodia. In response, His Excellency Professor Chheang Ra congratulated and highly appreciated Indonesia's commitment to the global health agenda, emphasizing that Indonesia's victory would be a great honor for the entire ASEAN region. Concurrently, both sides recalled and promoted the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2024, focusing on four priority areas: health services, health resilience (emergency response, security of medicines and medical equipment), human resources, and health technology (digital and biotechnology). His Excellency the Minister of Health also requested Indonesia's cooperation in training Cambodian health professionals through scholarships, internships, and practical experience exchange. The meeting proceeded in a close atmosphere, with both sides pledging to jointly strengthen the health of their people and enhance regional cooperation. Source: AKP Khmer