NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun shakes hands with Timothy Fox, acting president of the OCA, during the signing ceremony which granted Cambodia hosting rights for the 4th Asian Youth Games 2031. NOCC.
Cambodia has signed an agreement with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to obtain hosting rights for the 4th Asian Youth Games in 2031, officially known as AYG-2031.
The signing ceremony took place during the OCA General Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the morning of January 26. The agreement was signed in person by Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), and Seng Vannak, Phnom Penh deputy governor, as well as Timothy Fox, acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia.
This will mark the first time Cambodia has been awarded hosting rights for the game.
Cambodia previously achieved outstanding success as host of the 32nd SEA Games in 2023. Drawing from that experience, the Kingdom remains confident in its ability to organise this major Asian-level sporting event, thereby building confidence among Asian countries preparing to participate in the Games in 2031.
The Cambodian delegation, led by Chamroeun, attends the OCA General Assembly in Uzbekistan on the morning of January 26. NOCC
“This agreement serves as a standard operational framework for organizing the multi-sport Asian Youth Games AYG-2031. It clearly defines the responsibilities between the rights holder and the host, in accordance with international sporting standards — particularly ensuring that the Games are organized and conducted smoothly, efficiently, responsibly and successfully for the Olympic committees of all 45 participating countries,” said Chamroeun.
He reiterated that Cambodia’s Olympic movement is committed to preparing all necessary conditions to fulfil its responsibilities, helping to create another historic milestone for Cambodia while contributing to celebrations of the country’s transition to upper-middle-income status by 2030.
Chamroeun called on all domestic and international stakeholders to place their trust in the Royal Government and people of Cambodia. He expressed confidence that Cambodia would once again demonstrate excellence in 2031, following the country’s success in hosting the SEA Games for the first time in 2023.
The 4th Asian Youth Games were originally scheduled for 2029. However, during the OCA Executive Board meeting held in Bahrain on October 21, 2025, the OCA proposed postponing the Games to 2031. This change was made to adjust the event cycle from once every four years to once every two years. The Cambodian government and the NOCC agreed to this proposal.
