Kazakhstan President: Hun Manet’s Visit Opens a New Chapter in Cambodia-Kazakhstan Ties
Kazakhstan President: Hun Manet’s Visit Opens a New Chapter in Cambodia-Kazakhstan Ties
ASTANA, October 17, 2026 — Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s visit to Kazakhstan as “of historic significance,” marking the first-ever visit by a Cambodian prime minister to the Central Asian country.
Tokayev made the remarks during talks with Hun Manet in Astana on Saturday, expressing confidence that the visit would open a new chapter in bilateral relations and turn shared goals into practical cooperation, according to the Kazakh presidency.
“I believe your visit is of historic significance, as no Prime Minister of Cambodia has visited Kazakhstan before,” Tokayev said.
He described Cambodia as a reliable partner in Southeast Asia and an important link in Kazakhstan’s efforts to expand its partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Expanding Bilateral Cooperation
Hun Manet highlighted the longstanding educational and cultural connections between the two countries, noting that more than 120 Cambodian students had studied in Kazakhstan. Many have since taken up senior positions in Cambodia’s government, including provincial governors, state secretaries and ministry officials.
The Cambodian prime minister also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in food security, agriculture and manufacturing.
Both leaders voiced confidence that their discussions would help increase bilateral trade, strengthen business ties and create new opportunities for cooperation.
Following the meeting, Tokayev and Hun Manet adopted a joint statement and witnessed the exchange of six bilateral documents covering digital government and information technology, trade, culture, tourism, and cooperation between the capitals of Astana and Phnom Penh.
The visit marks a new milestone in Cambodia-Kazakhstan relations, with both sides seeking to translate their diplomatic engagement into broader economic and people-to-people cooperation.
