Brazil-Cambodia: renewed diplomacy with the historic opening of the first Brazilian embassy in Phnom Penh

On Thursday 25 September 2025, Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen received the credentials of Mrs Vivian Loss Sanmartin, Brazil's new ambassador to Cambodia. This ceremony marks a historic milestone in bilateral relations by inaugurating the first Brazilian embassy to be established in the Khmer Kingdom.

Samdech Techo enthusiastically welcomed this diplomatic step forward, stressing that the opening of the Brazilian embassy in Phnom Penh represents a strategic turning point for strengthening cooperation between the two countries, both politically and economically. According to Chea Thyrith, spokesman for the Cambodian Senate, the Head of State extended a warm welcome to the ambassador on behalf of the King, seeing her presence as an essential lever for deepening bilateral ties.

In her speech, Madame Sanmartin expressed her gratitude for the audience and pledged her commitment to intensifying trade and economic relations between Phnom Penh and Brasilia. She emphasised Brazil's desire to broaden multidimensional cooperation, in particular by promoting governmental and parliamentary exchanges to strengthen dialogue between the institutions of the two nations.

The Cambodian leader welcomed this ambition, emphasising the key role played by increased trade in consolidating a solid bilateral relationship. He encouraged the two governments to step up their efforts to boost mutual trade, which is the driving force behind a lasting friendship.

In addition, Samdech Techo suggested the creation of parliamentary friendship groups within the National Assembly and the Senate, to foster more in-depth inter-parliamentary cooperation, a strong signal in favour of active and constructive parliamentary diplomacy.

With regard to sport, a point of national pride for Brazil, the ambassador was invited by Samdech Techo to strengthen cooperation in this area. The Head of State recalled Brazil's world renown in football and volleyball, sports in which the country has an abundance of talent. Keen to promote cultural and human exchanges, he suggested that Brazilian coaches be sent to Cambodia in the near future to train local athletes, a project which, according to Ms Sanmartin, is well under way and could soon become a reality.

Finally, during the audience, Samdech Techo informed the ambassador of the current situation on the border between Cambodia and Thailand. She reaffirmed Brazil's support for a peaceful resolution to the dispute, calling for compliance with the ceasefire agreement and a return to normality in the areas concerned.

The meeting took place against a backdrop of strengthening diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Brazil, which are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their official ties, consolidated by high-level visits and cooperation agreements in various sectors ranging from agriculture and tourism to education and cultural exchanges.

The opening of the Brazilian embassy in Phnom Penh, announced in 2024 and now operational, demonstrates Brasilia's desire to make a more direct and sustained commitment to the South-East Asia region. It will support the growth in trade and the ambitions of a strategic partnership that responds to current geopolitical and economic changes.

In short, this diplomatic inauguration highlights a promising bilateral relationship, based on renewed dialogue, increased economic cooperation, a deepened political dialogue, and strengthened human and cultural ties between two countries that are geographically distant but now closer than ever.