Siem Reap, Cambodia: Cambodia successfully hosted the 34th ASEAN Experts Group on Competition (AEGC) Meetings and Related Meetings under the Chairmanship of Her Excellency Ly Sophoirvichny, Member of the Cambodia Competition Commission (CCC) and Chair of AEGC 2025. The meetings were held in a hybrid format, with the participation of all ASEAN Member States and engagement from ASEAN Dialogue Partners, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and GIZ.

The 34th AEGC Meetings were convened under the leadership of H.E. Phan Oun, Delegate of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Director General of the Consumer Protection, Competition, and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF), and Head of the Secretariat of the Cambodia Competition Commission (CCC).

Delivering opening remarks on behalf of H.E. CHAM Nimul, Minister of Commerce and Chairperson of the CCC, H.E. Phan reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to regional economic integration through fair competition. He underscored that Cambodia views this Chairmanship as both an honor and a strategic responsibility.

“It is both a privilege and an opportunity to build upon our shared achievements, drive forward ASEAN’s competition agenda, and reinforce the principles of fair and open markets that underpin our region’s economic success,” he said.

He also paid tribute to the accomplishments of the previous chair, H.E. Raksagecha Chaechai, Commissioner of the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT), highlighting the strong foundation laid in 2024 and ASEAN’s continued commitment to fair competition.

As Chair of AEGC 2025, Cambodia has set six priority action plans to advance ASEAN’s competition policy framework:

1. Finalizing and endorsing the ASEAN Competition Action Plan (ACAP) 2025, focusing on practical implementation and regional impact.
2. Securing the signing of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Competition (AFAC) at the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting.
3. Completing the ASEAN Capacity Building Program for Implementation (ACBPI) and enhancing business community engagement.
4. Convening the 11th ASEAN Competition Conference (ACC) in Singapore to reaffirm regional cooperation.
5. Elevating the ASEAN Heads of Competition Agencies (AHCA) Meeting to a strategic leadership platform.
6. Strengthening intra-AEGC cohesion and expanding collaboration with Dialogue and Development Partners.

Alongside the 34th AEGC Meeting, several sideline events were held, including the 2nd Consultative Workshop on the Implementation of the ASEAN Action Plan 2030 and the 2nd Project Steering Committee Meeting. These sessions offered a collaborative space for ASEAN Member States, international experts, and development partners to share insights, strategies, and implementation plans to advance fair competition across the region.