National
• 1 hour ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Elbridge Colby, US Under Secretary of War, Visits Angkor Wat, Honors Cambodia's Heritage
PHNOM PENH, August 17, 2026 – Elbridge Colby, US Under Secretary of War, visited the Angkor Archaeological Park during his official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia, taking the opportunity to appreciate the ancient architecture and reaffirm mutual respect for sovereignty and cultural values—key pillars of US-Cambodia relations.
Colby expressed pride in the United States' role as a long-standing partner in supporting the preservation of Cambodia's rich cultural heritage. This support has been demonstrated through decades of practical engagement, particularly via the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).
Through the AFCP, the United States has invested millions of dollars since 2001 to help restore and preserve key archaeological sites in Cambodia, including the temples of Phnom Bakheng, Preah Vihear, and the repatriation of antiquities illegally smuggled abroad. These investments reflect the US recognition that Cambodia's national identity and sovereignty are closely tied to its ancestral heritage.
Colby's visit comes amid broader strengthening of bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. Cultural engagement is increasingly viewed as an effective form of soft diplomacy in building trust and deepening mutual understanding between the governments and peoples of both countries.
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
Colby expressed pride in the United States' role as a long-standing partner in supporting the preservation of Cambodia's rich cultural heritage. This support has been demonstrated through decades of practical engagement, particularly via the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).
Through the AFCP, the United States has invested millions of dollars since 2001 to help restore and preserve key archaeological sites in Cambodia, including the temples of Phnom Bakheng, Preah Vihear, and the repatriation of antiquities illegally smuggled abroad. These investments reflect the US recognition that Cambodia's national identity and sovereignty are closely tied to its ancestral heritage.
Colby's visit comes amid broader strengthening of bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. Cultural engagement is increasingly viewed as an effective form of soft diplomacy in building trust and deepening mutual understanding between the governments and peoples of both countries.
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
