President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to embark on a state visit to Cambodia from September 7 to 9, where he will meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and engage top business leaders from both nations, Malacañang confirmed Thursday.
Marcos, together with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, will travel to Phnom Penh upon the formal invitation of Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni.
“The President and the First Lady will be received by acting Head of State and Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and his spouse, Samdech Kittiprittbindit Bun Rany Hun Sen, on behalf of His Majesty,” the Palace said in a statement.
According to Malacañang, Marcos will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Hun Manet focusing on joint action against transnational crimes, enhancing connectivity, and expanding ties in agriculture, higher education, tourism, and cultural cooperation.
The President will also lead a roundtable dialogue with major business leaders from both countries, aiming to diversify trade, open new markets, and strengthen bilateral and intra-ASEAN commerce.
As part of the visit, Marcos will meet with the Filipino community in Cambodia, home to more than 7,000 overseas Filipinos, many of whom are employed in education and the service industry.
The Palace noted that Marcos’ trip reciprocates Prime Minister Hun Manet’s official visit to Manila in February 2025, during which at least eight key agreements were signed in areas including trade, agriculture, education, tourism, and ICT.
The Philippines and Cambodia first established formal diplomatic ties on August 20, 1957, marking more than six decades of bilateral partnership.