Ministry of Information Officially Celebrates Koh Ker Archeological Site’s Listing as a World Heritage Site
Phnom Penh, September 20, 2023—The Ministry of Information like other ministries and state institutions at both national and sub-national levels celebrate at the ministry this morning under the presidency of H.E. Minister Neth Pheaktra the inscription of Koh Ker Archeological Site on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 45th Session of World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sept. 17.
PM Calls for Attention to Demographic Policy
Phnom Penh, September 19, 2023 --Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has laid stress on the importance of demographic policy, underlining that Cambodia should not ignore the policy for 2050.Speaking at a get-together with some 18,000 workers and employees from 18 factories and enterprises in Bati district, Takeo province this morning, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said in response to the demographic concern by 2050, Cambodia should pay high attention to the demographic policy from now on.The Premier asked the Ministry of Planning to check the statistics whether or not the older population will be really high by 2050. If this is true, he continued, the ministry should consider the demographic balance.“Do not wait until 2050 when the country is prosperous, then no one wants to have children because it costs more to raise them,” he said.According to the UNFPA, the life expectancy at birth for male in Cambodia is 69 years old, while female is 74 years old, while fertility rate per woman is 2,3 percent. Besides, the population aged 10-24 is 26 percent, and 15-64 is 65 percent.
Over 20,000 Enterprises to Benefit from Electricity Price Cut
Phnom Penh, September 19, 2023 --About 21,000 enterprises, most of them are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), will benefit from the reduction in electricity prices, said this morning Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet.While holding a get-together with some 18,000 workers and employees from 18 factories and enterprises in Bati district, Takeo province, the Premier asked the Ministry of Mines and Energy to review electricity prices to help SMEs.The move will contribute to increasing the production of enterprises, particularly SMEs, Samdech Thipadei underlined.“I have asked H.E. Keo Rottanak (Minister of Mines and Energy) to check the price of electricity, whether it can be reduced to any level, especially for SMEs and handicrafts or factories, because when the price of electricity is low, they will increase their production,” said the Prime Minister.
Government Trained over 270,000 Workers in Past Five Years
Phnom Penh, September 19, 2023 --The Royal Government of Cambodia has equipped over 270,000 workers with the necessary formal skills for the job market from 2018 to 2022.The figure was shared in a report issued recently by the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.For 2022 alone, 73,672 of the workers have completed their technical and vocational education and training, and 19,949 of them were female.Another 16,719 workers have graduated from levels 1, 2, and 3 of technical and vocational training during the same year.During the year, another 12,269 workers completed their university and associate degrees in technical skills.During the 7th mandate, the Royal Government has set an ambitious target to provide training for 1.5 million youth from poor and vulnerable families.
Two-Story Structure Discovered on Third Terrace of Bayon Temple
Phnom Penh, September 18, 2023 --APSARA National Authority's restoration team has discovered a new structure that was never known before, i.e. the construction of two overlapping stone walls on the third terrace of Bayon Temple.According to the authority’s news release issued this morning, this structure was found while the technical team was strengthening the temple’s structure on the third terrace.Miss Meng Sovanlylin, an architect and technician working on the third terrace of Bayon Temple, said this was the second time that technicians had found a two-story structure on the third terrace which differs from other ancient temples.This structure has one platform, and another platform has been built from the outside, and changes in the architectural layout during construction have also been noted, she added.Technicians have observed that the pre-built platform is less decorative, with only stone carvings, while the later-built platform has a more beautiful design.Architects have speculated that the addition of stone wall may have been due to the builders' change for a better design.
Cambodia, Turkey Committed to Promoting Collaboration
Phnom Penh, September 18, 2023 --Cambodia and Turkey have vowed to promote their collaboration, especially between the two countries' legislative and executive bodies.The commitment was made in a courtesy meeting between Samdech Moha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly (NA) of Cambodia and H.E. Ms. Ülkü Kocaefe, Turkish Ambassador to Cambodia, at the NA Palace in Phnom Penh this morning.Samdech Khuon Sudary underlined that Cambodia welcomed the strengthening and expansion of cooperation with Turkey as well as with other countries in order to achieve the 7th-mandate Royal Government’s plan to turn Cambodia into an upper middle-income economy by 2030 and a high-income nation by 2050.The NA president congratulated H.E. Ms. Ülkü Kocaefe for her new role in Cambodia, stressing that the relations and cooperation between the two countries will be further deepened during her diplomatic mission in the Kingdom.She asked Turkey to boost trade, human resource training, women empowerment, especially the bilateral relations between the two nations' legislative bodies.H.E. Ms. Ülkü Kocaefe congratulated Samdech Thipadei Khuon Sudary on her role as the first female NA President in Cambodia; and appreciated her active contribution to enhancing Cambodian women’s capacity and women empowerment.The Turkish diplomat also spoke highly of the significant increase in bilateral trade volume and people-to-people relations. Up to now, 60 Cambodian students has been studying Turkish language at the Yunus Emre Institute Turkish Cultural Centre in Cambodia.Cambodia and Turkey have formed their diplomatic relations since 1959.
Cambodia, Canada to Boost Bilateral Military Cooperation
Phnom Penh, September 18, 2023 --The Kingdom of Cambodia and the Dominion of Canada are committed to boosting their bilateral military cooperation.The commitment was made in a meeting here this morning between Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Force (RCAF) H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen, and Lt. Col. Paul Payne, Head of the Office of Military Attaché at the Embassy of Canada in Cambodia.Both sides welcomed the good relationship and cooperation between the two countries and pledged to continue their military cooperation, especially in intelligence information exchange, fight against cross-border crimes and so on.In 2022, a Canadian naval vessel docked at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port in Preah Sihanouk province, which contributed to enhancing the two countries’ military ties, said H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen.The RCAF commander-in-chief sought assistance from the Canadian side in human resource training as well as support in international forums.Lt. Col. Paul Payne noted the key contribution of Cambodian peacekeepers within the UN framework, stressing that Canada can share humanitarian and disaster relief expertise with the Cambodian side.Cambodia and Canada established their diplomatic ties in 1952.
More Cooperation between Cambodia and Guangxi Encouraged
Phnom Penh, September 18, 2023 --Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has encouraged Cambodia and China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to promote their relations and cooperation, mainly in the fields of trade, investment, modern agriculture, agro-industry, and digital economy.The Cambodian Premier made the encouragement while receiving a courtesy visit from H.E. Lan Tianli, Governor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in Nanning yesterday afternoon on the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN-China Expo.Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also asked the Guangxi governor to consider the acceleration of existing cooperation and study new areas of cooperation.For his part, H.E. Lan Tianli highly valued Samdech Thipadei’s official visit to Beijing and participation in the opening ceremony of 20th ASEAN-China Expo in Nanning, which reflect the attention and firm stance of Cambodia in favour of China as well as of Nanning.The Guangxi governor also reaffirmed his province’s continued cooperation with Cambodia, and told Samdech Thipadei of his visit to Cambodia in April 2023, the purpose of which was to learn more about the real situation of Cambodia and to invite Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Supreme Privy Council of His Majesty the King, to visit Nanning and other areas of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
JICA Pledges to Assist Cambodia in Achieving Rural Development Goals
Phnom Penh, September 15, 2023 --The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has pledged to assist Cambodia as well as the Ministry of Rural Development to achieve the rural development goals and eliminate poverty in the country.The pledge was made by Mr. Sanui Kazumasa, Chief Representative of JICA in Cambodia, during a meeting with H.E. Chhay Rithisen, Minister of Rural Development, here in Phnom Penh on Sept. 14.Mr. Sanui Kazumasa recalled Japan's good cooperation with Cambodia, stressing that Japan has contributed to building physical infrastructure, schools, and hospitals and promoting the education sector through scholarship provision and training.The JICA chief representative spoke highly of the agency's intimate cooperation with the ministry in building rural road linkages.H.E. Chhay Rithisen underlined the government's Pentagonal Strategy for the 7th legislature, stressing that the strategy put forth actions to speed up the development for Cambodia to achieve upper middle-income status in 2030 and high-income status in 2050.The minister thanked the Government of Japan through JICA for its assistance to Cambodia in all sectors, especially during the crisis.He considered Japan a strategic friend and was committed to continuing cooperation with the country.
Angkor Equinox to Happen Next Week
Phnom Penh, September 15, 2023 --Equinox, a natural phenomenon when the sun rises over the central tower of the Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap province, will happen on Sept. 21-23.The information was shared by the Ministry of Tourism in a news release on Thursday, adding that this event is linked with the architecture of the great Angkor Wat in the Khmer history.The equinox is the time when day and night are approximately equal in length, unlike some normal months, the night is longer than the day or the day is longer than the night that always happens in the world.The equinox at Angkor Wat is not a coincidence, it is a feature of the Khmer ancestors who prepared the architecture of the temple in advance, with the intention of adjusting the natural phenomena for Angkor Wat to create an event of the sunrise at the top of temple.According to Mornings.co.uk, a famous website of the United Kingdom, the Angkor Wat Temple of Cambodia was crowned No. 1 as the world’s best place to see the sunrise.“Angkor Wat is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Steeped in history and rich in culture, it is a must-visit attraction. Although views from this spot are inspiring at any time of the day, a sunrise here is not to be missed,” the website commented.
Cambodia, Ukraine Continue Cooperation on Humanitarian Demining
Phnom Penh, September 14, 2023 --H.E. Heng Ratana, Director General of Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) held at CMAC’s Phnom Penh Headquarters on Wednesday a virtual meeting with visiting H.E. Mrs. Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.According to CMAC, this meeting only focused on humanitarian demining issues, as there are millions of hectares farm land and residential areas affected by landmines and the remnants of war.Thus, Cambodia’s experiences and lessons learnt in managing Mine Action can be shared in terms of technical know-how, efficiencies and effectiveness, the same source added.
NA Approves to Change MONASTRI to Ministry of Inspection
Phnom Penh, September 14, 2023 --The National Assembly (NA) has unanimously approved to change the name of the Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection (MONASRI) to Ministry of Inspection.The approval was made during the first session of the NA’s 7th Legislature held here this morning under the chairmanship of NA President Samdech Moha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary with the participation of 114 lawmakers. H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Inspection, represented the Royal Government to defend the 10-article draft law on the establishment of the Ministry of Inspection.t the same session, the NA also unanimously adopted the draft law on the establishment of State Secretariat for Border Affairs in replacement of the National Authority for Border Affairs.The eight-article draft law is aimed to create a new institution that is permanent, has a full management structure and authority, and can attract more human resources to continue the mission of resolving border issues with the neighbouring countries, strengthening the defence of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and promoting the preservation of historic border achievements.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen Suggests Two Key Sectors for Japanese Investors
Phnom Penh, September 13, 2023 --Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Supreme Privy Council of His Majesty the King, has encouraged the Japanese investors to invest in Cambodia’s two key areas, including the establishment of factories for raw material processing, and advanced technology such as car assembly plants, production of electronic components and energy.Samdech Techo Hun Sen, also President of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), made the encouragement while he received visiting H.E. Fumiaki Takahashi, President of Japan-Cambodia Association (JCA), at the 7 January Palace in Phnom Penh this morning.The JCA president informed Samdech Techo Hun Sen of the planned visit of a delegation of Japanese investors, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to Cambodia, and of JCA’s cooperation with the Cambodian side in organising a firework display to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in November.Samdech Techo Hun Sen spoke highly of the people-to-people relationship and reminded the Japanese side of the vision of building food security in the Mekong region to supply production chains and the initiative of establishing an association of rice exporters for rice price stability and rice supply unity.
UNICEF to Continue Deepening Cooperation with Ministry of Planning
Phnom Penh, September 12, 2023 --UNICEF has pledged to continue strengthening and expanding its good cooperation with the Ministry of Planning.The pledge was made by Dr. Will Parks, UNICEF Representative in Cambodia, in a meeting with H.E. Bin Trachhey, Minister of Planning here in Phnom Penh on Sept. 11.H.E. Bin Trachhey spoke highly of the good cooperation between the ministry and UNICEF, especially the latter’s technical assistance for the elaboration of national strategic development plan, sustainable development goals framework, nutrition, and so on as well as for the preparation of procedures for poor household identification during the COVID-19 spread.The minister requested UNICEF to continue supporting the ministry's nutrition work through programmes on iodine fortification into salt and iron fortification into fish sauce and soy sauce for children and adults, and its capacity building on monitoring and evaluation (M&Es) skills; and providing technical assistance on data collection at sub-national level, as well as material support including tablets to communes/Sangkat and municipal and provincial departments of planning across the country for poor household identification work.Dr. Will Parks invited the minister to preside over a consultation meeting with UNICEF on the preparation of cooperation plan for the next five years (2024-2028), to be held later this month.
Cambodia’s Milled Rice Export Reaches Over 400,000 Tonnes In First Eight Months
Phnom Penh, September 11, 2023 --Cambodia exported a total of 401,699 tonnes of milled rice in the first eight months of this year, generating over US$278 million in revenue, a Cambodia Rice Federation’s report said on Friday.The January-August export accounted for 58 percent of the planned export amount of 700,000 tonnes this year, the same source added.Exported milled rice varieties included premium aromatic rice, fragrant rice, long grain white rice, parboiled rice, and organic rice, it pointed out.According to the report, Cambodian rice has been shipped to 56 countries and regions around the world during the said period.European Union countries remained the top buyer of Cambodia’s milled rice, purchasing 164,682 tonnes, followed by China and its autonomous regions and ASEAN members with 143,818 tonnes and 36,692 tonnes, respectively, it said.In 2022, Cambodia exported over 630,000 tonnes of milled rice to 59 countries, earning US$414 million, while the revenue from paddy rice export was around US$841 million.The Cambodia Rice Federation has set an ambitious goal to export at least a million tonnes of milled rice by 2025.
French Embassy In Phnom Penh To Open To The Public This Weekend
Phnom Penh, September 11, 2023 --The French Embassy in Phnom Penh will be open to the public this weekend on the occasion of European Heritage Days, organised this year around the theme of “Living Heritage”.After welcoming more than 1,400 visitors last year, the French Embassy in Cambodia will once again open its doors to the public on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the embassy said in a recent press release.Visitors will be allowed to discover or rediscover the buildings steeped in history and the magnificent park of the embassy, said the same source, adding that with an area of 4.7 hectares, it is a key large green area in Phnom Penh. It is home to exceptional biodiversity: 200 trees of more than 50 different species and a large number of animal species, the census of which is currently underway.They will also discover the embassy’s old portal, which inspired Mr. François Bizot's story on the fall of Phnom Penh in 1975.On their way out, visitors will be able to visit the photo exhibition hanging on the embassy’s exterior, which celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Pasteur Institute in Cambodia, then go to the Memorial for the Dead of World War I, recently reconstructed identically by the Royal Government of Cambodia.Visitors can have access to guided tours in French (9 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m.), Khmer (9:40 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 2:40 p.m.) and English (9:20 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 2:20 p.m.).According to the press release, initiated in 1985 by France, European Heritage Days are currently celebrated in more than 50 countries. In Cambodia, other remarkable buildings will also open their doors to the public on this occasion, including the French Development Agency, the UNESCO Office, the Royal University of Fine Arts, the Municipality of Phnom Penh, and the centre of the French School of the Far East (EFEO) in Siem Reap.Entrance is free and without registration, but large bags are not allowed, said the press release, continuing that visitors are recommended to bring water and suitable shoes.
Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Ruling Parties Strengthen Traditional Friendship
Phnom Penh, September 07, 2023 -- The presidents of the ruling parties in Indochina, including Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the traditional friendship, according to a press release from Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) AKP received this afternoon.Yesterday, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of CPP; H.E. Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam; and H.E. Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party held their high-level talks in Hanoi, Vietnam.During the meeting, the leaders of the ruling parties of the three neighbouring nations mentioned about the situation of their respective parties and countries, especially in terms of party building, socio-economic development as well as exchanged views on regional and global situation.They expressed their satisfaction with the past cooperation between the three parties and agreed on key directions to promote the relations and cooperation between the three parties and countries in various fields for the common benefit of their nations and peoples.They also agreed that in the current situation, it is necessary to strengthen the solidarity, close cooperation and mutual support between the three parties and countries, which are their valuable asset, and to promote cooperation in all areas, particularly economy, culture, education, science, technology, tourism and agriculture, and the institutional cooperation between the three countries’ parties, states, fronts, mass organisations and at the sub-national level.Moreover, they agreed to promote the effective existing mechanisms and establish a number of new cooperation mechanisms to tighten cooperation between the three parties and peoples for the benefit of the people, peace building and safeguarding, regional and global cooperation and development.
Japan’s Contribution to Cambodia's Mine Action Lauded
Phnom Penh, September 07, 2023 --Cambodia has applauded the Government of Japan for its active contribution to humanitarian mine action in the former, enabling safe land for farmers and reducing mine and ERW risks.H.E. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), underscored the acknowledgement in an event he chaired with H.E. Ueno Atsushi, Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia.Taking place on Sept. 5 here in Phnom Penh, it was a handover ceremony of the Japanese government’s aid to Cambodia under the Economic and Social Development Programme.The Royal Government of Cambodia remains deeply committed to ending landmines, said the senior minister, calling for more contributions from development partners as well as donors to support Cambodia in making Cambodia free from landmines.The Japanese Ambassador highly appreciated the results of demining achievements in Cambodia.According to H.E. Ambassador, Japan has also assisted Cambodia in international cooperation, most recently with the training of experts from Ukraine.
Cambodian PM Plans To Visit Brunei
Phnom Penh, September 06, 2023 --Cambodian Prime Minister, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, will pay an official visit to Brunei Darussalam in the near future.The planned visit will be made at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’issaddin Waddaulah, King and Prime Minister of Brunei Darussalam, during their bilateral meeting this morning in Jakarta, Indonesia, on the sidelines of 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.Anyway, the schedule as well as other details of the visit have not yet been determined.In the meeting, both leaders discussed future direction of Cambodia-Brunei cooperation, focusing particularly on the areas of defence, security, education and human resource training, agriculture, and people-to-people exchange.They agreed to increase both countries’ cooperation on preventing cross-border crime, linking private sector through the Chambers of Commerce, and supporting the implementation of bilateral dialogue mechanism between their foreign ministers.In the same morning, the Cambodian Premier also held talks with Prof. Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of World Economic Forum (WEF), during which he praised the WEF for showcasing the achievements and potential of Cambodia on the international stage.Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet welcomed the WEF’s intention to enhance its cooperation with ASEAN, including Cambodia, and laid stress on the consistency and coherence between the WEF’s agenda and the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I of the Royal Government of Cambodia, especially on private sector development and digital economic and social development.
Cambodia, Japan To Strengthen Cooperation In Information Sector
Phnom Penh, September 06, 2023 --Cambodia and Japan have spoken highly of their cooperation in the field of information and agreed to continue and strengthen it.The agreement was made between H.E. Neth Pheaktra, Cambodian Minister of Information and H.E. Ueno Atsushi, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia, during their meeting here at the ministry this morning.In the meeting, both sides also reviewed their past cooperation and discussed future directions on media and information sector between the two countries.H.E. Neth Pheaktra expressed his gratitude to Japan for its support for the National Television of Cambodia (TVK), especially the recent technical assistance for the organisation of ABU Asia-Pacific Robot Contest 2023 (ABU ROBOCON 2023).Besides, H.E. Minister sought support from Japan for the ministry’s media modernisation plan.H.E. Ueno Atsushi congratulated H.E. Neth Pheaktra on his appointment as the Minister of Information of Cambodia and praised the Ministry of Information for the successful hosting of the ABU Robocon 2023, through which, he believed, young Cambodians will be interested more in science and engineering.The discussion also touched the cooperation in the fight against fake news.