Cambodia launched the 9th Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians' Forum on Global Health (APPF-GH) on August 11, 2026, at the National Assembly, with Senate First Vice-President Uch Borrith presiding. The three-day event, running until August 13, is organized under the theme "Universal Health Coverage in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change," in collaboration with the World Health Organization and coordinated by the National Assembly's Commission on Health, Social Affairs, Veterans, Youth Rehabilitation, Labor, Vocational Training, and Women's Affairs.
The forum brings together parliamentarians, senators, government representatives, and UN officials from 16 member countries of the APPF-GH, along with development partners. Man Hee Lee, chair of the Health and Welfare Committee of South Korea's National Assembly, emphasized that universal health coverage (UHC) ensures everyone can access needed health services without facing severe financial hardship, serving as a foundation for equity, stability, and trust.
Lee noted that climate change is directly impacting health through extreme heat, floods, storms, food insecurity, and shifting disease patterns, while also testing the resilience of health systems, supply chains, and health workers. He stressed that the forum aims to help parliamentarians exchange ideas, build political will, and strengthen health cooperation, urging focus on concrete parliamentary actions such as legislation for resilient and inclusive health systems, budgets protecting people from financial burdens, oversight to build trust, and partnerships for mutual learning.
Uch Borrith announced that the forum will conclude with a "Phnom Penh Joint Statement" reflecting shared commitments and practical actions to advance UHC in the era of climate change and AI. He encouraged ambitious commitments, stating that the document should guide legislative and budgetary measures in national parliaments. He described the forum as a call for real action and cooperation, not just statements, to create tangible changes benefiting all people through health care services.
Lork Kheng, chair of the National Assembly's Commission on Health, Social Affairs, Veterans, Youth Rehabilitation, Labor, Vocational Training, and Women's Affairs, expressed hope that parliamentarians will engage in open and practical discussions beyond mere expressions of support. She noted that while joint statements provide guidance, they alone cannot save lives; progress depends on what happens after delegates return home, reflected in strengthened laws, protected budgets, monitored implementation, and voices in decision-making. She hoped delegates will remember Phnom Penh not only as a meeting place but as a site of renewed political commitment to making UHC a reality for all.
Health Minister Chheang Ra described the gathering as invaluable for fostering a systemic vision to navigate complex challenges driven by external and global factors. He emphasized that UHC cannot be achieved by the health ministry alone but requires support from parliamentarians in political, legal, budgetary, social protection, education, infrastructure, and environmental aspects, as well as their role as representatives to improve health service quality for all, especially the poor, remote communities, the elderly, disabled persons, women, and children.
Source: Khmer Times
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