President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos arrived in the Kingdom of Cambodia on Sunday for a three-day state visit aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between the Philippines and Cambodia.

The visit is upon the invitation of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni.

President Marcos and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos were warmly welcomed by Cambodian officials as the plane carrying the First Couple touched down at Phnom Penh International Airport at 3:08 p.m. (local time).

Marcos will kick off his state visit via a meeting with the Filipino community in Cambodia.

The President will be joined by the First Lady and several Cabinet members who are part of the official delegation.

Marcos is expected to acknowledge the significant contributions of Filipinos—particularly those working in education and service sectors—and highlight their vital role in the economic and socio-cultural development of both the Philippines and Cambodia. Around 7,500 Filipinos reside and work in Cambodia.

On his second day, the President will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss a range of key issues, including diversifying trade, enhancing cooperation against transnational crimes, boosting tourism, and strengthening collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, higher education, and air services.

Marcos is also expected to seek support from Cambodia for the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.

Marcos will likewise meet with Acting Head of State and Senate President Hun Sen and spouse, Samdech Kittiprittbindit Bun Rany Hun Sen, who will officially welcome the First Couple during their State Visit on behalf of the King of Cambodia.

The President will also convene a roundtable meeting with Filipino and Cambodian business leaders to deepen investment ties between the two nations.

The state visit to Cambodia serves as a reciprocal gesture following Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s official visit to the Philippines in February 2025. The last state visit to Cambodia by a Philippine president was in 2016.

The Philippines and Cambodia established formal diplomatic relations on August 20, 1957. Presidential News Desk