Bilateral Cooperation

Outline GPOSC’s one-on-one partnerships with prosecution services and judicial agencies in other countries. This includes treaties, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and joint programs. Key points:

  • Key Partner Countries: Cambodia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has active cooperation with counterparts in neighboring countries and strategic partners.
  • Kingdom of Thailand & Vietnam: Regular exchanges and mutual legal assistance agreements exist to combat transnational crimes (like trafficking and cross-border crime).
  • Lao PDR: Close collaboration given regional proximity; joint training programs have been held and informal consultations on cases of mutual concern.
  • Russia: In 2024, the Prosecutor General of Russia and Cambodia’s Prosecutor General signed a cooperation program for 2025–2026, focusing on exchange of expertise and joint seminars on issues like counter-terrorism and anti-money laundering.
  • Other Countries: Cambodia, through GPOSC, also engages with Japan, France, and the United States via training support or legal reforms projects, and within the ASEAN neighborhood (Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.) to strengthen prosecutorial standards.
  • Activities under Bilateral MoUs: These can include information sharing on ongoing criminal investigations (within legal frameworks), sharing of best practices and materials, secondment of legal experts, and coordinated efforts to return fugitives or evidence. For instance, under a Cambodia-Vietnam agreement, the offices have coordinated to expedite extradition of suspects and gathering of evidence across borders.
  • Diplomatic Role: The Prosecutor General often serves as a key legal diplomat for Cambodia, meeting foreign counterparts to build trust and cooperation. These bilateral ties are crucial for tackling crimes that cross borders and for capacity building through mutual support.

Multilateral Cooperation

  • ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Forums: Cambodia (through GPOSC) is an active participant in the ASEAN Prosecutors-General Meeting/Conference. This forum (often held annually or biennially) brings together heads of prosecution services from ASEAN member states (and sometimes plus partners like China). Discussions cover cooperation against regional challenges such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and terrorism. GPOSC shares Cambodia’s experiences and adopts joint statements or action plans (e.g., the Sanu-Bali Declaration 2025 under the Asia-Pacific Attorneys General Mechanism, committing to enhanced collaboration against transnational crime).
  • United Nations & Global Initiatives: GPOSC aligns with international standards and takes part in UN-linked efforts when relevant. For example, it may contribute to UNODC (UN Office on Drugs and Crime) workshops on criminal justice reform or UN Congress on Crime Prevention events. Cambodia is also a signatory to international conventions (like the UN Convention Against Corruption, UNCAC), and GPOSC plays a role in implementing these commitments domestically.
  • International Association of Prosecutors (IAP): The Office is a member of the IAP, a global network of prosecutors. Through IAP conferences or training modules, Cambodian prosecutors exchange knowledge with global peers and learn about best practices in upholding prosecutorial integrity and effectiveness.
  • FATF and Transnational Crime Task Forces: In the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing, GPOSC coordinates with bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Asia/Pacific Group. Prosecutors get involved in evaluating and improving Cambodia’s framework to meet international standards. Similarly, GPOSC might join regional task forces or working groups (e.g., ASEANAPOL’s judicial cooperation wing or Mekong region justice initiatives) to address organized crime.
  • Judicial Cooperation Networks: GPOSC engages in networks such as APA (Asia Prosecutors’ Association, if exists) or other regional prosecutor networks where policies and experiences are shared. The Office’s goal in multilateral settings is to both contribute Cambodia’s perspective and bring back knowledge to strengthen domestic prosecution services.

Official Visits & Conferences

  • Hosting Foreign Delegations: GPOSC regularly welcomes prosecutorial and judicial delegates from other countries. For example: In July 2025, GPOSC hosted a delegation from the Office of the Attorney General of Laos in Phnom Penh, discussing cooperation on border crime cases and sharing training methodologies. The visit included court observations and cultural exchanges to build camaraderie.
  • Visits Abroad: The Prosecutor General leads delegations overseas to strengthen ties. Example: In March 2025, H.E. Chea Leang visited Moscow, Russia, to meet with the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation. During this working visit, the two sides exchanged experiences on anti-cybercrime strategies and signed an action plan for 2025 2026 (as mentioned in Bilateral Cooperation).
  • ASEAN–China Prosecutors-General Conference: This high-profile conference rotates among member countries. Cambodia has been an active participant. Notably, at the 15th ASEAN–China Prosecutors-General Conference, H.E. Chea Leang delivered a keynote on enhancing cooperation in cybercrime prosecution. [Embed video: Highlights of the Prosecutor General’s speech at the conference]. These conferences result in joint declarations (see International Cooperation > MoUs & Declarations for any signed documents) and bolster trust among regional prosecutorial bodies.
  • Workshops and Trainings: GPOSC also sends representatives to or hosts international workshops. For instance, a regional workshop on Trafficking in Persons was co-hosted in Phnom Penh in 2024 with support from UNODC, where prosecutors from 10 countries shared challenges and case studies.
  • Conference Outcomes: For each conference or visit, summarize any outcomes such as signed agreements, agreed frameworks, or follow-up actions (e.g., “The meeting concluded with a commitment to establish a direct liaison office between GPOSC and the counterpart agency” or “Cambodia agreed to nominate a focal point for a regional working group on wildlife trafficking”).

MoUs and Declarations

  • Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs):
  • MoU between the GPOSC (Cambodia) and the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation, 2024. (Summary: Cooperation program for 2025-2026 focusing on mutual legal assistance and capacity building.) Download PDF
  • MoU between GPOSC and the Office of the Attorney General of Singapore, 2024 – Download PDF. (Summary: Agreement on exchange of prosecutorial best practices and staff training attachments.)
  • Cambodia-Vietnam Cooperation Agreement on Criminal Matters, 2023. (Summary: Framework to expedite extraditions and share evidence in criminal investigations.) Download PDF
  • Joint Declarations and Statements:
  • Sanu-Bali Declaration on Prosecutorial Cooperation, 2025 . (Adopted by Attorneys General and prosecutors General in Asia Pacific, include Cambodia, committing to joint efforts against transnational crime.) Download PDF
  • Joint Statement of the 14th ASEAN Prosecutors-General Meeting, 2023 – Download PDF. (Highlights collective commitments of ASEAN prosecution offices, e.g., improving information-sharing networks.)

ASEAN and Regional Role

  • ASEAN Prosecutors Meeting: As part of the ASEAN community, GPOSC contributes to the ASEAN Senior Law Officials Meetings (ASLOM) and any sub-group focused on prosecution. The Office advocates for regional frameworks that improve cross-border legal processes (like faster extradition or joint investigations).
  • ASEAN Mutual Legal Assistance: Highlight that Cambodia is party to the ASEAN Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Treaty, and GPOSC is a central authority in processing MLA requests. This treaty strengthens regional collaboration by simplifying evidence and suspect exchange among ASEAN states.
  • Cross-Border Crime Initiatives: Regionally, issues such as drug trafficking (Golden Triangle region), human trafficking, and cybercrime affect ASEAN countries collectively. GPOSC plays its part by working with regional task forces. For instance, Cambodia co-chairs (hypothetical example) the ASEAN Working Group on Combating Trafficking in Persons, providing prosecutorial input on how to better protect victims and prosecute traffickers.
  • Capacity Building in the Region: Cambodia has also benefitted from and contributed to regional training. GPOSC prosecutors attend courses at the ASEAN Judicial Training Center, and in turn, Cambodia has hosted regional seminars (as noted in Official Visits & Conferences). These efforts elevate the prosecutorial standards region-wide.
  • See also: International Cooperation > Multilateral Cooperation (for broader international engagements).
  • Tone: This section is to show GPOSC’s pride in contributing to ASEAN’s vision of a harmonious and safe community, reinforcing solidarity.