UN delegation praises Kingdom’s socio-economic achievements
UN delegation praises Kingdom’s socio-economic achievements
Various United Nations (UN) agencies recently commended the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) for its progress in socio-economic development and pledged to enhance cooperation in priority sectors to help the country achieve sustainable goals benefitting the citizens.
Cambodia received the accolades, when Prime Minister Hun Manet received a courtesy call from six agencies of the UN Executive Board, led by Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, and Joseph Scheuer, UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia, at the Peace Palace on October 31, said an official statement.
Addressing the meeting, Muhith expressed satisfaction with the excellent cooperation and partnership between the UN and RGC, praising the rapid progress and growth of priority sectors across the Kingdom.
He said, “During recent visits to several provinces, the UN delegation observed improvements in public health services, education and involvement of women and youth in local communities.”
These developments reflect the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive participation and promoting contributions from all segments of society, the UN Permanent Representative added.
Mr Hun Manet underlined that the presence of UN top diplomats in Cambodia is the reflection of a strong partnership between both sides, contributing significantly to the sustainable and resilient development of the country.
“The visit of the UN delegation in Cambodia will give them a clear insight into the RGC vision for enhancing the socio-economic development in the country, its commitment to complete projects on time and the potential areas for cooperation for the benefit of the citizens,” the Prime Minister added.
During the meeting, Mr Hun Manet and Muhith discussed the possibility of strengthening and expanding partnerships in key sectors including health, education, vocational training, social security, climate change, clean energy, gender equality and in the role of women and youths.
The UN Permanent Representative reiterated the commitment of the UN agencies in supporting Cambodia’s development agenda for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with the initiative of ‘Leaving No One Behind’, the statement added.
Sok Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), and Hangchuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS) were present on the occasion.
The six agencies are the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Speaking to Khmer Times, Lor Vichet, Vice-President of Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association (CCCA) emphasised the importance of expanding cooperation with the United Nations in priority sectors as the Kingdom aims to exit the Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2029.
He said, “This collaboration will ensure sustainable development and economic growth for Cambodia, particularly in facilitating RGC transition and preparing for the challenges that accompany post-graduation and the loss of trade preferences.”
As Cambodia embarks on a new chapter of economic prosperity and seeks to enhance its position on the international stage, Vichet highlighted the necessity of the country adopting robust climate policies, citing the need to focus on environmental preservation and clean energy practices to foster long-term sustainability.
Also, by empowering youth and women, Cambodia can maintain its labour productivity and efficiency by remaining competitive with neighbouring countries and attracting more FDIs, CCCA Vice-President added.
