Cambodia and Vietnam are moving forward with plans to host the third legal conference between their border provinces. The initiative aims to bolster judicial cooperation, facilitate the exchange of professional experiences, and address common challenges in law enforcement along the shared border.

The upcoming event was a primary topic of discussion during a meeting on July 14 at the Ministry of Justice in Phnom Penh, between Cambodian Minister of Justice Koeut Rith and Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu. Ministry spokesperson Dy Molany confirmed that the conference is slated for late 2026, with Vietnam serving as the host nation.

Beyond the conference, the two sides discussed the development of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on legal and judicial cooperation for 2026. This framework is expected to include study visits, knowledge sharing, and mutual support to strengthen the ties between the judicial institutions of both countries.

The 2026 conference will build upon the foundations established in previous meetings, including the first conference held in Tay Ninh, Vietnam, in 2017, and the second, which took place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in 2019. These forums have historically addressed critical issues such as civil and criminal legal assistance, extradition, prisoner transfers, and local dispute resolution.

Current cooperation is supported by four key bilateral agreements covering civil and criminal legal assistance, extradition, and the transfer of sentenced persons. These agreements have enabled courts in Cambodian border provinces—including Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Kampot, Kandal, Takeo, Tboung Khmum, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, and Kratie—to coordinate with their Vietnamese counterparts on combating cross-border crimes, such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal trade.

Source: Khmer Times