Indo-Pacific Insight Series Vol 23
Enhancing Australia-Cambodia
ties through education and skills
October 2024
Dr Pia Dannhauer
This report explores the factors that constrain Australia’s relationship with Cambodia, and the opportunities to grow bilateral ties.
Key Messages
↗ Differences on human rights and democratic values, as well as divergent geopolitical alignments have constrained Australia-Cambodia ties.
↗ Challenges emerging from geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific, however, require Australia to find ways to work with and understand those who aren’t like-minded.
↗ Cambodia’s search for new partnerships to support its ambitious development agenda presents an opportunity for Australia to enhance its engagement with the country.
↗ Targeted support in developing Cambodia’s human resource base will both help harness the country’s demographic dividend and advance Australia’s policy priorities.

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Hun Manet meets Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, for their bilateral meeting at the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 in Melbourne, Photograph by A. Houspian (ASEAN) via Flickr.
