SIEM REAP, Dec. 1, 2023 – U.S. Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy and Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona, presided today over a signing ceremony to commit a $450,000 grant from the U.S. Department of State Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) to the preservation of the 10th-century Phnom Bakheng Temple in Angkor Archaeological Park.

Since 2004, AFCP has provided eight grants totaling $4 million to the World Monuments Fund (WMF) for the ongoing restoration and conservation of Phnom Bakheng. “We’re thrilled to announce our latest grant for Phnom Bakheng, which is the largest AFCP grant awarded in the East Asia-Pacific region this year,” said Ambassador Murphy at the signing ceremony. “The United States is proud of the longstanding and strong U.S.-Cambodia cultural partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. The Phnom Bakheng temple is a cultural treasure and also a top destination in Cambodia to experience awe-inspiring Angkor sunsets.”

Over the past 20 years, the United States has supported a wide range of projects at the Phnom Bakheng temple, including foundation repairs, stone conservation, waterproofing system installation, and the reassembly of walls and terraces. The latest grant will continue these efforts, and, like previous grants in this series, it will also enable WMF to train and employ local Cambodians to take part in this and other cultural heritage restoration efforts.

The Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation was established to help preserve significant cultural heritage sites around the world. Under AFCP grants, the U.S. Department of State has provided Cambodia $6 million since 2001 to help the Kingdom preserve its ancient cultural heritage, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Preah Vihear temple among other important locations.