Jakarta, May 7 (AseanAll) — Hun Sen, President of the Senate and former Prime Minister of Cambodia, conduct an official visit to Indonesia from 5 to 7 May 2025. The visit is being undertaken at the invitation of the ASEAN Secretariat and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), where he served as a guest speaker at a forum discussing conflict resolution in the region.
Hun Sen is a prominent and influential figure in Cambodia, having served as Prime Minister for over 34 years. He currently holds the position of President of the Senate and leads the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), which controls 55 of the 62 seats in the Senate. In his capacity as Senate President, Hun Sen also serves as Acting Head of State when the King of Cambodia is abroad.
Under his leadership, the Cambodian Senate has intensified its parliamentary diplomacy efforts, playing a strategic role in strengthening international cooperation and influencing Cambodia’s foreign policy direction.
Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Cambodia were officially established on 13 February 1959, marked by the signing of the Treaty of Friendship in Jakarta.
Indonesia has committed to supporting the capacity building of Cambodia’s military through training programs and personnel exchanges. In 2024, Indonesia has provided a grant of weapons and ammunition valued at US$500,000. Furthermore, both countries see strong potential for cooperation in the defence industry.
Bilateral trade between Indonesia and Cambodia has shown consistent growth over the past five years. Both countries have examined the new approach to expand market access, particularly for pharmaceutical, food and beverages as well as automotive products.
To strengthen food security, the two countries have discussed the way to reinforce the food supply chain by promoting investment in agricultural infrastructure, such as rice milling and warehousing.
In addressing common concerns, particularly transnational crimes such as online scamming networks and drug abuse, both governments have agreed to deepen cooperation among law enforcement agencies to combat these issues. Within both bilateral and regional ASEAN frameworks, these cooperative efforts are expected to further strengthen relations.
During his visit, Hun Sen also met with the President of the Republic of Indonesia, as well as the Speakers of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representative Council (DPD), and the ASEAN Secretary-General.
His visit also commemorates the 26th anniversary of Cambodia’s membership in ASEAN. Additionally, he will participate in a business meeting with entrepreneurs from both countries.
