Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia, Laura Updegrove, has concluded her visit to Cambodia. The trip marked the first U.S.-Cambodia Defense Policy Dialogue since 2019. This dialogue was part of a series of meetings with Cambodian defense and foreign policy officials.
Updegrove co-chaired the U.S.-Cambodia Defense Policy Dialogue, which has been held three times since its inception in 2011. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral defense relations, including resuming military training exchanges on disaster assistance, United Nations Peacekeeping, de-mining, and unexploded ordnance clearance. The dialogue also covered Cambodia's participation in U.S. professional military education programs. Both sides exchanged views on regional security and reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing dialogue.
In addition to the main dialogue, Updegrove met with Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha and Prime Minister Hun Manet's Foreign Policy Advisor Eat Sophea. These discussions aimed at advancing bilateral defense cooperation to support regional peace and security.
During her visit, Updegrove also engaged with Cambodian graduates of U.S. professional military education programs, emphasizing the long-standing defense training ties between the two nations.
Department of Defense spokesperson John Supple provided this information about DASD Updegrove's visit.
