Background
The Joint Committee for the Upgrade of the ASEAN–Republic of Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA Upgrade JC) coordinates government-level negotiations to amend or expand the AKFTA legal framework.
Upgrade joint committees review draft legal text, monitor the work of negotiating working groups, and recommend multiyear work plans to guide amendment processes. Cambodia participates in the AKFTA through its membership of ASEAN and designates the General Department of International Trade within the Ministry of Commerce to lead its delegation in upgrade negotiations.
Key Developments
The 3rd AKFTA Upgrade JC meeting took place in Singapore from 29 September to 1 October 2026. His Excellency LONG Kemvichet, Director-General of the General Department of International Trade and Upgrade JC Lead for Cambodia, led the Cambodian delegation. Agenda items included review of the agreement’s legal format, monitoring progress of negotiating working groups, and planning work schedules for 2026 and 2027.
Policy Context
The ASEAN–Republic of Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA) is a regional trade agreement that establishes tariff and trade cooperation frameworks between ASEAN member states and the Republic of Korea. Amendment and upgrade processes for regional FTAs rely on joint committees and technical working groups to manage legal drafting, sequencing of obligations, and coordination among parties.
Institutional Role
The Ministry of Commerce, through the General Department of International Trade, coordinates Cambodia’s participation in AKFTA upgrade negotiations and represents national negotiating positions in intergovernmental sessions. Designating an Upgrade JC Lead centralizes negotiation responsibilities and supports preparation of national inputs for legal text and multiyear work plans.
