Background
From 16 to 18 March 2026, in Wellington, New Zealand, Undersecretary of State Tith Rithipol of the Ministry of Commerce led the Cambodian delegation to participate in the 12th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Joint Committee Meeting. The RCEP Joint Committee is the mechanism through which participating countries review and discuss the ongoing implementation and development of the RCEP Agreement.
Scope of Application
The meeting focused on issues related to the RCEP Agreement among its participating members. The agenda items concerned the overall implementation of the agreement, potential accession by new members, general review processes, and the work of RCEP subsidiary bodies. Cambodia took part in these discussions as a participating RCEP member through its Ministry of Commerce delegation.
Key Provisions or Decisions
According to the Ministry of Commerce, the 12th RCEP Joint Committee Meeting examined and discussed several key agenda items:
- Progress in the implementation of the RCEP Agreement.
- Matters related to accession to the RCEP Agreement.
- A general review of the implementation of the RCEP Agreement.
- Reports from meetings of RCEP subsidiary bodies and other related issues.
In addition to the formal committee sessions, the Cambodian Undersecretary of State participated in roundtable discussions on the themes of “RCEP and the Global Trading System” and “Regional Priority Issues and Strengthening the Future of RCEP.” These roundtables brought together RCEP delegations, private sector representatives, research institutions, and civil society.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The meeting and associated roundtables indicate ongoing work among RCEP members to monitor implementation of the agreement, review its operation, and consider accession and priority issues. While no specific new measures or binding changes were detailed in the announcement, Cambodia’s participation reflects its continued engagement in RCEP processes that may influence future trade-related procedures, commitments, or implementation practices under the agreement.
Official Source
This information is based on an official announcement by the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia published on its verified Facebook page on 20 March 2026.
