Background
On 12 February 2026, the Ministry of Justice of Cambodia, represented by Secretary of State Keng Somarith and under the high auspices of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Keut Rith, chaired the opening of a workshop to review the ASEAN-Australia Counter-Trafficking (ASEAN-ACT) program. The workshop was held at the Sun & Moon Hotel in Phnom Penh. This event reflects ongoing regional and national cooperation aimed at combating human trafficking within Southeast Asia.
Scope of Application
The workshop involved multiple stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, National Police Headquarters, the Cambodian Judiciary, and international organizations engaged in anti-trafficking efforts. Attendees also included ASEAN-ACT partners and government delegates.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The workshop’s focus was twofold: firstly, to review and reflect on the implementation and achievements of the ASEAN-ACT program, gathering partners’ views on program quality and medium-term outcomes; secondly, to present and share key results from July to December 2025 and discuss challenges encountered in execution.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
Although primarily centered on intergovernmental and interagency cooperation in human trafficking prevention, the program’s ongoing evaluation informs legal and regulatory frameworks that may affect compliance obligations for businesses regarding labor practices and anti-trafficking measures. The comprehensive state and regional coordination documented here supports Cambodia’s adherence to international standards on trafficking prevention.
Official Source
Ministry of Justice Facebook post, 12 February 2026
