Hun Manet Says International Community Praises Cambodia’s Anti-Scam Conference
Hun Manet Says International Community Praises Cambodia’s Anti-Scam Conference
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 26, 2026 — Prime Minister Hun Manet said friendly countries and international organisations have praised Cambodia for successfully hosting the International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS-2026), which concluded in Phnom Penh on Sept. 24 with the adoption of the Phnom Penh Declaration.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting on Sept. 25, Hun Manet said the conference demonstrated broad international recognition that online scams are a transnational crime that cannot be effectively addressed by any single country acting alone.
He said international cooperation against online scams should be built on trust, mutual respect and respect for national sovereignty, describing these principles as essential to achieving sustainable solutions to the problem.
The conference, held on Sept. 23–24 under the theme “Acting Together Towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams,” brought together governments, law-enforcement agencies, international organisations and other stakeholders to strengthen cooperation against increasingly sophisticated scam networks. The ASEAN Secretary-General, INTERPOL and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime were among the international participants and partners involved in the conference.
Hun Manet also welcomed the adoption of the Phnom Penh Declaration, saying the conference had allowed Cambodia to demonstrate its commitment to combating online scam operations and strengthening international cooperation.
The declaration contains 11 commitments covering stronger international cooperation, breaking criminal networks, disrupting and recovering criminal proceeds, using technological innovation, strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, building capacity, expanding public-private partnerships and protecting victims of trafficking and other vulnerable people.
It also calls for implementation of the non-punishment principle for victims, prevention of fraud and human trafficking, and the dismantling of online scam compounds and related infrastructure.
According to the Cambodian government, the declaration was adopted by delegates from 28 countries and seven international organisations.
At the opening of ICCOS-2026, Hun Manet said Cambodia would not allow its territory to become a safe haven for online scams and stressed that the threat had evolved into a cross-border form of organised crime involving human trafficking, money laundering and emerging technologies.
He also said anti-scam efforts should not be used as a pretext for one country to attack or occupy another country’s sovereign territory, arguing instead that the issue should serve as a basis for countries to cooperate in good faith and with mutual respect.
The Cambodian government has presented the conference as part of its broader campaign against online scam networks and efforts to deepen cooperation with international law-enforcement and financial institutions.
The Phnom Penh Declaration now provides a common framework for participating countries and organisations to strengthen coordinated action against online scams and related transnational criminal activities.
