According to its post-meeting press release, Cambodia’s Council of Ministers met on April 23, 2026. The release listed five main items, including the draft law on military service, and also included a section on “Other matters”. The draft contains eight chapters and 20 articles and is intended to implement Article 49 (new) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
The draft sets out proposed arrangements for military-service obligations contributing to national development and defence. Its explanatory account describes these as an essential duty and great honour for Cambodian citizens, and as a foundation for defence-force development, physical fitness, patriotism, civic attitudes and discipline.
The proposed scope covers Cambodian citizens aged 18 to 25, whose service obligations would be governed by its provisions. Military service for women would be voluntary. The draft is to be advanced under an urgent procedure.
Cambodia previously enacted a military-service law through Royal Kram No. នស/រកម/១២០៦/០៣០ dated December 22, 2006, alongside other related legal instruments.
The government considers the 2006 law insufficient to address present and future needs comprehensively, making a revised legal framework necessary.
The government says that the administration led by Prime Minister Hun Manet continues the fundamental policy direction established by Hun Sen. The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces have been carrying out national defence, social-development and various rescue duties, while implementing government orders in a timely and effective manner. By ឡាយ កុល
File image; it does not depict this cabinet meeting or newly conscripted personnel.
The meeting invitation issued on April 19 for the planned April 23 meeting; it is not a post-meeting resolution or a promulgated military-service law.
