Dominic Raab, the UK's Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, is visiting Cambodia today to forge deeper bilateral relations and promote cooperation in addressing global challenges.

According to the British embassy in Phnom Penh, Raab will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn to discuss the UK’s intention of becoming an ‘ASEAN Dialogue Partner’ as Cambodia is slated to chair the bloc in 2022.

Raab will also meet Minister of Environment Say Samal to discuss climate change and Cambodia’s aspiration for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be hosted by the UK in November.

“This year marks 30 years since the UK reopened our Embassy in Cambodia and I am struck by the progress the country has made from its thriving business to standards of education and healthcare.

“I look forward to building on these foundations, as Cambodia takes on the important role of ASEAN Chair next year," Raab tweeted upon his arrival in the capital.

“[I am] delighted to arrive in Phnom Penh today as the first UK Foreign Secretary to visit Cambodia since we reopened UK embassy in 1991.

“UK looks forward to working closely with Cambodia during its ASEAN chairmanship in 2022.”

According to the embassy, the ASEAN Dialogue Partnership will enable the UK to further strengthen relations with ASEAN member states based on shared interests, constructive engagements and mutual benefits.

The partnership can contribute to ASEAN Community building and development cooperation efforts, it said.

Raab was also scheduled to pay a courtesy call to Prime Minister Hun Sen, but the planned meeting was cancelled with the latter announcing that he had to continue quarantine until July 3 after having been exposed to Covid-19.