On 20 August 2025, His Excellency Dr. Un Kheang, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Her Excellency Michelle Chan, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, co-chaired the Fifth Senior Officials’ Talks (5th SOTs) in Canberra, Australia. The meeting was also attended by representatives from Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior, Ministry of National Defense, the Council for the Development of Cambodia, as well as representatives from the Australian Prime Minister’s Cabinet, the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Defence, Australian Federal Police, along with the Ambassadors of both countries.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the long-standing relations between the two countries and explored ways to further elevate bilateral ties. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared interest and concern.

At the conclusion of the discussions, both sides agreed to convene the 6th SOTs in 2026 in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

On the sidelines of the SOTs, His Excellency Dr. Un Kheang held exchanges with scholars at the Australian National University and with officials from DFAT’s East Asia Division and Strategic Communications Division on the evolving geostrategic and geo-economic landscape of the Asia-Pacific. He also met with the Cambodian Australia Awards Scholars to discuss their academic progress and living experience in Australia.