Phnom penh: Cambodia and Laos have agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the information sector, particularly in information exchange, media capacity building, and the fight against fake news.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the commitment was highlighted during a meeting between H.E. Neth Pheaktra, Cambodian Minister of Information, and H.E. Sonexay Vannaxay, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Cambodia, at the Ministry of Information in Phnom Penh on Friday afternoon. The meeting underscored the importance of media cooperation and included discussions on updating the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on information exchange between the two nations.

The discussions also resulted in an agreement to jointly organise a photo exhibition to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and the Lao PDR, which spans from 1956 to 2026. This initiative aims to further cement the ties between the two countries and celebrate their longstanding relationship.

H.E. Sonexay Vannaxay praised Cambodia's rapid development and noted the country's continued stability despite facing significant challenges, such as a border dispute and the global energy crisis. This acknowledgment underscores the importance of a robust media sector in maintaining national and regional stability.

In response, H.E. Neth Pheaktra briefed the ambassador on the Ministry's key activities, particularly its efforts to ensure information security. He emphasized the Ministry's anti-fake news campaign, which has now progressed to its second phase, as a critical tool in combating misinformation and raising public awareness.

Previously, on June 11, H.E. Neth Pheaktra also engaged in a courtesy call with H.E. Pang Chee Wee, the newly appointed Ambassador of Singapore to Cambodia. Their discussions similarly focused on enhancing cooperation in promoting media and digital literacy, sharing experiences, and strengthening the capacity to combat fake news and online scams.