Morocco and Cambodia recently celebrated three decades of diplomatic relations with a series of cultural events in Phnom Penh. The Moroccan embassy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sports and the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), organized the Moroccan Cultural Days on November 11 and 12. The events featured a photo exhibition, art book display, workshops on Moroccan calligraphy, henna, and tea, as well as musical performances reflecting the heritage of both countries.
The official opening ceremony took place on November 11 at the Chaktomuk Theatre, with Cambodia's Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Phoeurng Sackona, attending as guest of honor. In her remarks, Sackona highlighted the friendship and cooperation between the two kingdoms, emphasizing the role of culture in bringing peoples closer together. The ceremony included welcome speeches, a video capsule on Morocco, and performances by Moroccan Andalusian and Cambodian music troupes.
The Moroccan embassy also hosted a dinner reception at the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, attended by around 200 guests, including senior officials from the Cambodian ministries of foreign affairs, culture, and tourism, members of the diplomatic corps, and the representative of the prime minister for the Muslim community. The minister reiterated Cambodia's commitment to expanding ties with Morocco, while Andalusian musicians performed throughout the evening.
On November 12, the celebrations continued with a conference titled "Views on the New Morocco" and a session on preserving and promoting Moroccan cultural heritage. The events took place on the margins of the 20th Francophonie Summit, which was held in Phnom Penh on November 15 and 16. The summit marked Cambodia's first time hosting the gathering, and the first summit in Southeast Asia since Hanoi in 1997.
Diplomatic relations between Morocco and Cambodia were established on October 23, 1996. Since then, ties have advanced, with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn visiting Rabat in March 2023 and signing a joint communiqué with his counterpart Nasser Bourita. The two sides also signed a cultural memorandum of understanding in February 2026, covering tangible and intangible heritage, creative industries, and training tied to museums, libraries, and archives.
The celebrations also included the opening of the Village de la Francophonie, held under the presidency of Prime Minister Hun Manet and attended by Louise Mushikiwabo, secretary general of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). Morocco runs a pavilion devoted to its heritage, traditions, and tourism potential, while the village brings together national pavilions, artistic performances, food exhibitions, and discussions on cultural heritage, tourism, and education.
The cultural events drew media coverage in Cambodia, with the daily Cambodianess publishing an interview with Morocco's ambassador, Abderrahim Rahhaly, on the state of bilateral relations and their prospects for growth. Rahhaly described the relationship as "friendly, strong and steadily developing," built on mutual respect and political trust, and highlighted opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, and education.
Key points
- Morocco and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on October 23, 1996.
- The two countries signed a cultural memorandum of understanding in February 2026.
- The celebrations took place on the margins of the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh.
