Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 5 – The UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Rt Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan had the privilege of visiting the National Museum on 4 March 2024 alongside Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona.

During the visit, Minister Phoeurng Sackona presented several significant ancient Cambodian sculptures, particularly statues and jewellery that had been returned to Cambodia from the UK.

Following their tour of the museum's galleries, both parties expressed their commitment to strengthening cultural ties and fostering mutual understanding between the two nations. They agreed on the following initiatives:

1. Exploring the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to prevent the illegal trafficking of antiquities.

2. Facilitating the dispatch of experts to assist in the preservation of gold collections and providing guidance on maintaining these collections according to technical standards to prevent corrosion and moisture damage during exhibitions.

3. Considering the opportunity to further send Cambodian professionals to undergo short or long-term training courses in the UK, particularly at SOAS University of London.

Minister Phoeurng Sackona also extended her gratitude to the UK Government for their collaboration in repatriating illegally exported Cambodian artifacts and for providing educational opportunities for Cambodian officials and students in the UK, especially at SOAS University of London.
=FRESH NEWS