AKP Phnom Penh, August 13, 2026 -- The 9th Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health (9th APPF-GH) was successfully completed on Aug. 13 at the National Assembly Palace with adoption of the Phnom Penh Communiqué.

Hosted by the Parliament of the Kingdom of Cambodia from Aug. 11 to 13, the forum brought together parliamentarians, health leaders, representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners from across the Asia-Pacific region.

The three-day forum was organised with the strong support of Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and reaffirmed parliamentary commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) amid climate change and artificial intelligence.

The Phnom Penh Communiqué recognises health as a human right and UHC as an important foundation for health equity, health security and sustainable development.

It also emphasises stronger parliamentary action to ensure access to quality and affordable healthcare without financial hardship, particularly for vulnerable and underserved communities.

On artificial intelligence, the Communiqué recognises opportunities to improve healthcare access, support health workers and strengthen service delivery, while calling for responsible use of AI with appropriate safeguards for safety, privacy, ethics, equity and public trust.

It also recognises climate change as one of the greatest threats to human health and calls for stronger laws, financing, oversight and cooperation to build climate-resilient and sustainable health systems.

The Communiqué further emphasises the role of parliamentarians in advancing UHC through legislation, budgetary decisions, oversight and representation, while strengthening primary health care and removing financial, geographical and social barriers to healthcare.

The forum acknowledged the technical leadership of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in supporting countries to advance UHC, responsible AI and climate-resilient health systems.

During the final session, representatives of the National Assembly and Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia joined parliamentarians from 15 countries across the Asia-Pacific region in discussing the future of the APPF-GH, considering amendments to its Articles of Association, and approving the Phnom Penh Communiqué as a key outcome of the 9th APPF-GH.

Following its adoption, H.E. Yos Phanita, Chairman of the Commission on Economy, Finance, Banking and Auditing of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, announced the Phnom Penh Communiqué of the 9th APPF-GH.

By Chea Vannak