Cambodia and Kazakhstan Explore Deeper Energy Cooperation and Direct Flights
Cambodia and Kazakhstan Explore Deeper Energy Cooperation and Direct Flights
ASTANA, October 18, 2026 — Cambodia and Kazakhstan have identified opportunities to deepen cooperation in the energy sector, strengthen economic ties and explore the possibility of establishing direct flights between the two countries during talks between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana.
According to a statement from the Kazakh presidential press service, Hun Manet said the two countries had an opportunity to expand energy cooperation and jointly identify areas of mutual benefit.
“I believe we now have an opportunity to deepen cooperation in the energy sector. We can instruct our institutions to jointly identify areas that would be mutually beneficial,” Hun Manet said.
The discussions formed part of the Cambodian prime minister’s official visit to Kazakhstan, marking the first time a Cambodian prime minister has visited the Central Asian country.
E-Government and Economic Cooperation
Hun Manet also highlighted Cambodia’s interest in exchanging experience with Kazakhstan on e-government, noting Cambodia’s extensive expertise and advanced development in the field.
The two leaders discussed expanding political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, as well as opportunities for collaboration in other areas of mutual interest.
Tokayev said Kazakhstan viewed Cambodia favourably and noted that many Kazakh citizens were interested in visiting the Southeast Asian country to experience its attractions.
He called for discussions on establishing direct flights between the two countries and expanding humanitarian exchanges to strengthen people-to-people connections.
Tokayev Calls Visit a Historic Milestone
Hun Manet thanked Tokayev for inviting him to Kazakhstan and noted that the two countries had maintained diplomatic relations for more than 30 years.
Tokayev described the visit as a historic event, saying no Cambodian prime minister had previously visited Kazakhstan. He expressed confidence that the visit would give fresh momentum to bilateral relations and open new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Kazakh president also recalled that Hun Manet’s father, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, visited Kazakhstan in 1982 while serving as Cambodia’s foreign minister.
Tokayev further highlighted the potential for broader cooperation based on the two countries’ natural resources and said the talks would address ways to strengthen trade and economic ties.
The meeting reflects both countries’ interest in expanding cooperation beyond their longstanding diplomatic relations, particularly in energy, digital government, trade, tourism connectivity and humanitarian exchanges.
