PHNOM PENH, 4 JUNE 2026 – The Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs concluded today in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The three-day meeting took place on 2–4 June.

The meeting was officially opened by H.E. Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of the Kingdom of Cambodia. In his opening remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister commended ASEAN’s economic resilience in the face of widespread global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. He attributed this resilience to the region’s steadfast commitment to an open, inclusive, and rules-based institutional framework.

Looking toward the future of regional trade, Dr. Pornmoniroth highlighted the pivotal role of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030 in streamlining and modernising customs procedures across the region. He emphasised that ASEAN customs administrations must evolve to address critical emerging global challenges such as rapid digitalisation and automation, the transition to a circular economy, and the pursuit of carbon neutrality.

To advance regional integration and ensure a seamless trading environment, Dr. Pornmoniroth proposed key policy directions for ASEAN to prioritise, including accelerating digital integration, deepening regional initiatives, enhancing regional connectivity, strengthening cooperation in customs enforcement, and investing in human capital and institutional capacity-building.

Download the full opening speech here.