Press briefing by H.E. Pen Bona, Royal Government Spokesperson January 13, 2026
Press briefing by H.E. Pen Bona, Royal Government Spokesperson January 13, 2026
Samdech, Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning!
Today, the Spokesperson for the Royal Government of Cambodia would like to inform the general public about the assistance and support that Cambodia has received from friendly countries and development partners during this difficult time:
On January 12, 2026, the Government of Japan provided Grant Aid of approximately USD 11.3 million for the implementation of the Project for Integrated Mine Clearance and Landmine Victim Assistance (Phase 3), and an additional USD 7.6 million for the implementation of the Project for the Reinforcement of Custom Functions at the Sihanoukville Port New Container Terminal. It is worth recalling that previously, in August 2025, Japan also provided approximately USD 1.8 million in humanitarian assistance through IOM and UNICEF to address the urgent needs of displaced civilians along the Cambodia–Thailand border.
The United States announced a USD 15 million assistance package to support displaced civilians along the border of the two countries, as well as an additional USD 10 million for humanitarian demining efforts in Cambodia. The People’s Republic of China provided an emergency relief assistance of 20 million yuan for displaced civilians within Cambodia and announced its readiness to provide humanitarian assistance to support the livelihood needs of displaced civilians in the affected border area. In the meantime, the Republic of Serbia also provided USD 500,000 in humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, many other friendly countries and development partners have also provided humanitarian assistance to Cambodia.
All of this clearly demonstrates that friendly countries and development partners, along with many international organizations, have extended strong support to Cambodia—in terms of diplomatic policy, as well as through development assistance, humanitarian aid, and emergency relief—to help displaced civilians affected by armed conflicts along the border.
In the special message to the general public on the night of January 10, 2026, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, expressed his gratitude to the United States of America, the People’s Republic of China, the Asian Development Bank, and friendly countries as well as other development partners for providing material and financial assistance to alleviate the hardships of the displaced civilians. Samdech Prime Minister further emphasized that the Royal Government will use the national budget and assistance from friendly countries and development partners to restore the livelihoods of displaced civilians after they return to their homes, as well as reconstruct the infrastructures that have been damaged by the bombardment of Thai soldiers as soon as possible.
It should be noted that over nearly three decades of peace in Cambodia, the Royal Government—led by former Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and current Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet—has effectively utilized this opportunity to foster national development across all sectors. This sustained peace further strengthens the country’s self-reliance and resilience.
The Government’s own capacities, combined with assistance from friendly countries and development partners, as well as the active participation of fellow Cambodians, will facilitate the swift recovery of the livelihoods of affected citizens and the restoration of damaged infrastructures, and are further reinforced by the firm commitments and relentless efforts of leadership, ministries, and relevant institutions.
It is important to highlight that the Royal Government has been diligently working to restore livelihoods and repair damaged infrastructure. At the same time, the government remains committed to protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity within Cambodia’s internationally recognized borders by employing peaceful means and adhering to international law.
The Spokesperson for the Royal Government would like to reiterate that the Royal Government of Cambodia maintains a firm position in safeguarding the Cambodia-Thailand international boundary as inherited from the Commission of Delimitation of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam, in full respect of international law principles, the principle of intangibility of frontiers (Uti Possidetis Juris), the Franco-Siamese conventions and treaties, the maps, and the procès-verbaux of the Commission of the Abornement of the Boundary between Indo-China and Siam, as well as all relevant agreements and documents mutually agreed upon by both parties. Cambodia reiterates that it will not recognize any alteration of the boundary line resulting from the use of force. This is an unwavering and non-concessionary position of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
សមរThank you
