(Phnom Penh): The British Embassy Phnom Penh brought together 300 friends and colleagues from the Royal Government of Cambodia, diplomatic missions, civil society organisations, and business community at the Himawari Hotel on 4 June 2025 to mark King Charles III's 77th birthday.
During the event there was a wider celebration of British architecture and its role in supporting Cambodia's development priorities. The event showcased Foster + Partners, the renowned British architectural firm, designers of the award winning Techo International Airport. Foster + Partners' innovative design uniquely blends traditional Cambodian architectural elements with green technology, creating both a striking national landmark, cutting-edge sustainable infrastructure and among the world’s greenest airports.
British Ambassador to Cambodia, Dominic Williams MBE said, “Our King’s Birthday Party celebration is our most high-profile event of the year and we use it both to honour British traditions and to celebrate the UK-Cambodia relationship with our friends and partners. This year our special theme was architecture, showcasing in particular the role of UK expertise in the design of the new Techo International Airport. An international airport is not just a functional piece of infrastructure, it is a country’s gateway to the world and shapes visitors’ first impressions. The Foster + Partners design for TIA makes a powerful statement about Cambodia - dynamic, modern and ambitious, while remaining rooted in its centuries old culture and traditions. I can’t wait to see the reactions from visitors and Cambodians alike when they enter the airport for the first time! Of course, our ambition for our partnership with Cambodia goes beyond architecture, and we are looking forward to further fantastic UK-Cambodia collaborations in many areas in the year ahead!”
The celebration builds on growing interest in UK architecture following the British design of Norodom Business Tower, Sathapana Bank, Vattanac Capital Tower, ACLEDA Head Quarter, Chip Mong Tower, FTB Head Quarter, and the proposed Sleuk Rith Institute and The King’s School Vattanacville Campus by firms including Foster + Partners, Aedas, Zaha Hadid and FP Farrells. This momentum not only underscores the UK's influential role in shaping Phnom Penh’s modern skyline but also paves the way for deeper collaboration in future architectural and urban development projects.
Say Samal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction underscored, “This momentous occasion indeed marks a shared celebration between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Cambodia with friends and partners around the world, and serves as a powerful reminder of His Majesty’s enduring commitment to environmental stewardship and global well-being. From the establishment of The King’s Trust in 1976 to empower vulnerable youths, to the launch of the Sustainable Markets Initiative in 2020 to place sustainability at the core of global economic development, His Majesty has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership in advancing harmony between humanity and nature. This celebration also presents a valued opportunity to reflect on the long-lasting friendship and expanding cooperation between Cambodia and the United Kingdom. Notably, under our Green Infrastructure Partnership, we are proud to highlight the upcoming inauguration of the Techo International Airport this September, designed with state-of-the-art sustainability features by the renowned Foster + Partners. This landmark project stands as a compelling testament to the strength and dynamism of the UK-Cambodia growing investment partnership.”
Nikolai Malsch, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners underlined, "It is a great honour to see Techo International Airport featured at the King’s Birthday Party celebrations in Phnom Penh. Our vision is inspired by Cambodia's rich cultural heritage and actively responds to its tropical climate.
By integrating cutting-edge sustainability with local architectural traditions, we've created a new gateway to Cambodia that reflects both its cultural identity and environmental values. This project demonstrates how thoughtful design can support both economic development and environmental stewardship."
As we celebrated His Majesty's birthday, the event highlighted how architectural excellence represents just one dimension of the growing UK-Cambodia partnership. From education and conservation to trade and investment, British expertise continues to support Cambodia's development journey while creating jobs and prosperity for both nations.
This celebration was made possible thanks to the generous support of our main sponsors, including Springboard for Education Cambodia, IDP Cambodia, Prudential, Foster + Partners, CamEd Business School, and Unilever, as well as our in-kind sponsors such as St. John Phnom Penh, Seekers, and Himawari Hotel and Apartment.
=FRESH NEWS
