Ministry To Launch Online App To Promote Tree Planting
Phnom Penh, June 14, 2024 --The Ministry of Environment plans to launch a mobile application called 'Chakra' to engage and inspire tree planting in Cambodia.The plan was unveiled by Minister of Environment H.E. Eang Sophalleth on June 13.According to the minister, the app runs similar to social media platforms like Facebook but supports tree planting as the theme for online engagement.It allows users to take photos of the trees they plant, upload and share them, and follow up on their development.The launch of the app was tentatively scheduled for June 24, he added.It is expected that the initiative will inspire tree planting, especially among youth.
Fallen Stones Of Phnom Bakheng Temple Collected For Restoration
Phnom Penh, June 13, 2024 -- At the Phnom Bakheng Temple restoration site, a team of ten stone experts is working together to sort out fallen stones to assemble them back, according to the APSARA National Authority’s news release on June 12.The collecting and sorting out of the stones based on the temple's structure is complex and crucial to ensuring the long-lasting result of the restoration.During the process of continuing the release, the APSARA National Authority recognised the dedication of two outstanding stone experts, Mr. Um Narith and Mr. Sam Chhert.Their hard work and years of experience are instrumental in ensuring the success of this restoration project.
Cambodian PM Urges Continued Investment On Human Capital
Phnom Penh, June 13, 2024 --Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has continued to called for further investment on human capital.Addressing the graduation ceremony of some 540 students of Limkokwing University in Phnom Penh this morning, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said human resources are the determinant of everything: people are the planners, people are the leaders, people are the key implementers, people can monitor all.“Today, artificial intelligence (AI) can help a lot of people like ChatGPT, but it is not enough because the leadership and building of the country need living human resources, so human resources are the most important assets of the nation that can enable the country to develop sustainably,” he said.“Human resources are very important, our economy may have gaps with countries before and now, but if we continue to strengthen and invest in human resources, we hope to close the gap,” he stressed.Samdech Thiapdei Prime Minister mentioned that people are different from materials and equipment. Computers, no matter how smart they are, are not able to develop themselves. So far, computers are better at thinking than us, but there is a limit to their programmes.“It (computer) comes out this year, but it may be out of date next year. People are different. They are constantly evolving and updating themselves,” he said.For people, he underlined, health is one thing, but for the level of intelligence and memory, people can increase them on a regular basis.
Cambodia Interested In Australia's Immigration Management And Crime Prevention
Phnom Penh, June 13, 2024 --A Cambodian delegation led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior expresses deep interest in Australia's work related to immigration, technology, crime prevention, human trafficking, and security.H.E. Aphi Santepundit Sar Sokha shared the impression in a meeting with Australia's Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs, H.E. Andrew Giles, on June 12 at the Australian Parliament building.The Cambodian deputy prime minister informed H.E. Andrew Giles that his one-week mission, until June 16, aims both to learn from and foster cooperation with Australia in the mentioned areas, especially to apply for a sub-national administrative reform in Cambodia.Cambodia is reviewing relevant laws and regulations to respond to the emerging context and develop support procedures to effectively manage immigration and security work, especially online crimes. He also requested the Australian side to provide technical training for Cambodian law enforcement officials in charge of the affairs. H.E. Andrew Giles acknowledged Cambodia's efforts and accepted the request by the deputy prime minister in order to further promote immigration, security, and crime prevention cooperation with the country. This is the third of such exposure visit led by H.E. Aphi Santepundit Sar Sokha, after the first one to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the second to the Swiss Confederation and the Federal Republic of Germany.
APSARA National Authority Excavates Eastern Causeway Of Beng Mealea Temple
Phnom Penh, June 12, 2024 --The technical team of the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology of the APSARA National Authority is conducting the archeological excavation on the structure of the eastern causeway of Beng Mealea Temple for future restoration projects, the authority said in a news release on June 11.Mr. Puth Soth, Technical Officer of the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology, who led the excavation, said that the team had started excavation on the causeway to examine the possibility of restoring the structure of the eastern causeway of Beng Mealea Temple.Mr. Puth Soth added that after excavating the top soil layer, he found that the floor of the causeway had collapsed, with the weakened foundations tearing apart, causing some components of the structure such as pillars, the Naga balustrade, the Naga's body, the Naga's head, many fragments falling into the moat and some buried in the ground due to age and natural factors.According to the APSARA National Authority, the project to restore the eastern causeway of Beng Mealea Temple is under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Fund.
Construction Of Tallest Buddha Statue Opens For Public Contribution
Phnom Penh, June 12, 2024 --Southeast Asia's tallest Buddha statue is being constructed on Cambodia's Bokor Mountain, a well-known natural tourist attraction whose peak is 1,017 metres high, in Kampot province.The President of Sokha Hotel, Neak Oknha Sok Kung, initiated the construction of the 108-metre-tall Buddha statue, which was estimated to cost about US$60 million to worship the enlightening teachings of Lord Buddha.Neak Oknha Sok Kung is launching a festival to mobilise local resources, especially from followers of Buddha, from June 28 to 30 at the Sokha Hotel in Siem Reap province.The occasion will open an opportunity for them to contribute to the construction of the historic statue.The event will also feature food and beverage stalls and performances and offer accommodation with special rates at the five-star Sokha Hotel to participants.
Cambodia, Japan Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation On Labour And Social Security
Phnom Penh, June 11, 2024 --Cambodia and Japan have agreed to further strengthen their bilateral cooperation in the areas of labour and social security, in line with the new level of their diplomatic relations.The agreement was made by Cambodian Minister of Labour and Vocational Training H.E. HENG Sour, and Japanese State Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare H.E. MIYAZAKI Masahisa, during their meeting on June 10 in Geneva, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the International Labour Conference.The Cambodian minister thanked the Japanese side for dispatching experts to Cambodian training institutions to train, build capacity and upgrade skills in the fields of electronics, machinery and automobiles.For his part, H.E. MIYAZAKI Masahisa affirmed that Japan was ready to continue to help Cambodia in all areas.On the occasion, the two sides welcomed last year’s celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Cambodia and Japan, as well as the upgrading of relations between both nations to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership.
Cambodian NA President Extends Congratulations To Russian Federation On 34th Anniversary Of National Day
Phnom Penh, June 11, 2024 --Samdech Moha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, has sent a congratulatory message to H.E. Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of the 34th Anniversary of the National Day of the Russian Federation.“On behalf of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, I wish to convey to Your Honourable and, through you, to the esteemed leadership and the brotherly people of the Russian Federation my warmest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the 34th Anniversary of the National Day of the Russian Federation on this upcoming June 12, 2024,” she wrote in her congratulatory message made public this morning.The National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia highly values the partnership with the Russian Federation and cherishes the fruitful collaboration fostered between the two countries and legislatures.“We are committed to further strengthening these longstanding ties of friendship and comprehensive cooperation, exploring new avenues in the mutual interests of our two peoples,” Samdech Khuon Sudary underlined.
Phnom Penh Hosts First International Floating Library
Phnom Penh, June 08, 2024--The Doulous Hope, one of the world's largest ships, transformed into a floating library, has arrived in Phnom Penh and is open for public viewing free of charge.Docked at the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port, the fleet hosts an international book fair from Jun. 5 to 16 and Jun. 22 to July 4, 2024.On those dates, it is open from 12:30 to 20:30 from Tuesday to Sunday.The Doulous Hope floating library is owned and has docked at nearly 500 ports across 150 countries around the world. It is the first time the library ship is docking in Phnom Penh as well as Cambodia.
Cambodia, Brazil Discuss Ongoing Cooperation
His Excellency CHUM Sounry, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and His Excellency Ambassador Eduardo Paes Saboia, Secretary of Asia and the Pacific of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, discussed the ongoing cooperation between Cambodia and Brazil during a meeting held in Brasilia on 3 June 2024.The two deputy foreign ministers shared satisfaction with the development in the bilateral relations and cooperation since the official visit to Cambodia by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, His Excellency Mauro Vieira, in October last year and discussed arrangements for a tentative official visit to Brazil this year by His Excellency SOK Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Cambodia and Brazil.His Excellency CHUM Sounry and His Excellency Eduardo Paes Saboia updated each other of the progress in the process of establishing Embassies in their respective capitals to meet the growing trend in the relationship between the two nations. They also discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in trade, agriculture, education, tourism and people-to-people connections as well as the possibility of holding the 2nd Bilateral Consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministries in Cambodia next year.Both deputy foreign ministers also touched on the ASEAN-Brazil relations, where Ambassador Eduardo Paes Saboia renewed Brazil’s appreciation for Cambodia’s support for Brazil to become ASEAN’s Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 2022 during Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship. His Excellency CHUM Sounry encouraged Brazil, as an important member of MERCOSUR, to move forward the ASEAN-MERCOSUR free trade arrangements for the interests of the two regions.
His Excellency KUNG Phoak Attends The Meeting Of The Executive Committee Of The Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Commission (SEANWFZ EXCOM)
On 6 June 2024, His Excellency KUNG Phoak, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ASEAN SOM Leader of Cambodia, attended the Meeting of the SEANWFZ EXCOM in Vientiane, Lao PDR.The Meeting discussed important agenda encompassing: (1) the Review of Progress in the Implementation of the Plan of Action of the SEANWFZ Treaty (2023-2027), (2) the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty, and (3) Timor-Leste’s accession to the SEANWFZ Treaty.
14 New Cranes Recorded
Phnom Penh, June 06, 2024—A team of a biodiversity conservation organisation, NatureLife Cambodia, has recorded 14 new cranes during their most recent 2023–2024 census.Of the endangered birds discovered, six were adult cranes, said the team, adding that the figures showed that the crane population is stable compared to the census in 2022–2023.They continued that the finding reconfirmed that the Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, where the cranes were found, plays an important role in providing spawning grounds for endangered species.The Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary is the main spawning ground for cranes, which breed from May to Oct.The team is also planning a study to locate the crane nests and support them to push up the bird's spawning rate.The crane is the tallest bird that can fly. It is generally 1.76 metres high, weighs 5–12 kilogrammes, and has a wingspan of 2.5 metres.
Another Cruiser Brings Along Nearly 200 Foreign Tourists To Cambodia
Phnom Penh, June 05, 2024--Another cruiser "The World" with the flag of the Bahamas docked at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Preah Sihanouk province, on Jun. 4 for a four-day visit to Cambodia.The cruiser brings along 190 tourists (80 female) of 28 different nationalities and 289 crew members (47 female) of 35 different nationalities.It had departed from Thailand and is scheduled to leave for Vietnam in the evening of Jun. 7, according to an immigration police official.Most of the tourists are American and British, added the source.The tourists are touring natural resorts, beaches, and other tourist attractions in the coastal province.Some tourists had left for Siem Reap province to visit temples at the Angkor historical site.The tourist ship is 196.35 metres long and 29.80 metres wide, and this is its first time docking in the province.
Cambodia To Embrace Wind Power In Mondulkiri And Kampot Provinces
Phnom Penh, June 03, 2024 --Cambodia is set to harness the power of wind energy, with plan for the country's first wind farms taking root in Mondulkiri and Kampot provinces.The information was shared by the H.E. Keo Rottanak, Minister of Mines and Energy in a video clip published on the ministry’s social networks on Monday.“Cambodia will soon have wind farms, one in Mondulkiri province and the other on top of Bokor mountain in Kampot province,” he said.The wind energy is to contribute to the clean and renewable energy sources for the national grid, H.E. Minister added.Renewable or clean energy used in Cambodia has accounted for more than 62 percent of the country's total consumption, according to the ministry.Renewable energy comes from sources such as wind power, hydropower, solar energy and biomass energy. Most of renewable energy in the Southeast Asian country comes from Chinese-invested hydropower dams.Cambodia currently is capable of producing some 4,000 megawatts of energy per year, but its annual consumption is only about 2,400 megawatts, so the Kingdom is considering exporting its energy to countries in the region in the future.
Information Minister Supports Cambodian-Chinese Amateur Badminton Championship
Phnom Penh, June 01, 2024 --The Minister of Information strongly supports the initiative of Tnaot App, an online news site in Khmer and Chinese, to organise a badminton championship between Cambodians and Chinese people.H.E. Neth Pheaktra highlighted his support in a meeting on May 30 with Tnaot App's Director General Mr. Tang Bingjian (Tony) at the ministry.According to Mr. Tang Bingjian, the event titled People to People Exchange Amateur Badminton Championship 2024 will be held in June.It will promote mutual cultural understanding and friendship between Cambodians and Chinese, he said.The championship will engage Chinese people who are doing business in Cambodia in line with the 2024 Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year committed by the two governments.The planned event, he added, was broadly supported by business partners, users, and supporters of the Tnaot App.
Royal Body Of His Holiness Buddhist Supreme Patriarch General Tep Vong Cremated
Phnom Penh, June 03, 2024 --The royal body of His Holiness Buddhist Supreme Patriarch General Tep Vong, Buddhist Supreme Patriarch of Dhamma Mahanikaya of the Kingdom of Cambodia, was cremated this morning at an official ceremony in front of Botum Vattey pagoda in Phnom Penh, after being laid in state at Ounalom pagoda for 100 days.The royal cremation ceremony was held under the royal presidency of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia.Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate; Samdech Moha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly; Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister; many senior officials and Cambodian Buddhist monks at all levels as well as delegations of Buddhist monks from different nations and foreign diplomatic corps accredited to Cambodia were also on hand.After the funeral reading by Samdech Preah Oudom Chakriya Pundit Chhoeung Bunchea, Vice President of Sangha Judicial Council of Kingdom of Cambodia, and Chief of Monks at Vimean Techeas Sras Chak pagoda, His Majesty the King offered fire to cremate the royal body of Buddhist Supreme Patriarch General Tep Vong.Venerable Tep Vong passed away in Phnom Penh on Feb. 26, 2024 at around 17:40, at the age of 93 years old due to natural causes.The Royal Government has announced to set June 3, 2024 as the second official mourning day for the Great Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia. The first official mourning day was Feb. 27, a day after his passing away.According to the government’s directive, all flags at public and private institutions must be lowered to a third from the top of the flagpole, while all entertaining programmes on both public and private TV and radio stations are ordered to be postponed today.
Funeral Procession Of Most Venerable Tep Vong Kicks Off
Phnom Penh, June 03, 2024 --The procession of the body of late His Holiness Buddhist Supreme Patriarch General Tep Vong, Buddhist Supreme Patriarch of Dhamma Mahanikaya of the Kingdom of Cambodia, began early this morning with the participation of Buddhist monks and other religious groups, the armed forces, civil servants, youth groups, and so on.The procession, consisting of five sections, left Ounalom pagoda where the body was laid in state for 100 days, on Sisowath Quai towards Wat Phnom Historical Resort. Then, it continues on Preah Norodom Boulevard towards the Independence Monument before arriving the crematorium in front of Botum Vattey pagoda for the cremation ceremony.The procession would take about two hours on an over-five-kilometre-route.The cremation ceremony will be presided over by His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia with Cambodian leaders, senior officials and the general public as well as foreign Buddhist monks and foreign diplomatic corps accredited to Cambodia in attendance.Venerable Tep Vong passed away in Phnom Penh on Feb. 26, 2024 at around 17:40, at the age of 93 years old due to natural causes.The Royal Government has announced to set June 3, 2024 as the second official mourning day for the Great Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia. The first official mourning day was Feb. 27, a day after his passing away.
ADB Launches New Country Partnership For Cambodia
Phnom Penh, May 29, 2024 --The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a new country partnership strategy for Cambodia, spanning the period 2024–2028.The new strategy, closely aligned with the first phase of the national Pentagonal Strategy for the same period, aims to strengthen pathways for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economy in Cambodia, an ADB’s news release pointed out this morning.The five-year strategy focuses on working with the government and other partners to accelerate private-sector-led economic diversification, advance human development, and strengthen climate resilience, said the source, adding that the comprehensive strategy also incorporates crosscutting priorities to address climate change, enhance governance and institutional capacity, improve gender equality, promote digitalization, and deepen regional cooperation and integration.“Shaped in close collaboration with diverse stakeholders, ADB’s new country strategy is a partnership with Cambodia for its prosperity, its people, and the planet,” said ADB Vice-President for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific Scott Morris. “It heralds an exciting new chapter of growth and opportunity in Cambodia’s development journey, one that aims to set the country on the path to high income status in the decades ahead.”According to the news release, the strategy emphasises prosperity by accelerating economic diversification, recognising the pivotal role of the private sector in driving sustainable growth. Key to this approach is enhancing high-quality, climate-resilient infrastructure to attract private sector investments, and creating an enabling business environment, particularly beneficial for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.Placing people at the heart of the development agenda, the strategy seeks to ensure inclusive access to quality and affordable services, including education, skills development, health care, and clean water supply and sanitation services. ADB will also ramp up its efforts to enhance digital service delivery by subnational administrations, and improve food security and nutrition for those most in need, thereby paving the way for enhanced economic productivity.Aligned with ADB and the government’s climate commitments, the strategy aims to strengthen climate resilience through targeted climate adaptation initiatives spanning agriculture, water resource ecosystems, and urban infrastructure. Further, it prioritises the expansion of renewable energy sources and mobilisation of concessional climate finance, in a concerted effort towards a greener and more resilient future for Cambodia.ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
Funan Techo Canal To Break Ground In August, Says PM
Phnom Penh, May 30, 2024 --Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet this morning mentioned that the Funan Techo Canal project is scheduled to break ground in August this year.“The project is a big national symbol and a historical achievement of Cambodia,” he said at the inauguration ceremony of achievements of the Buddhist Cultural Centre of Cambodia in Phnom Sruoch district, Kampong Speu province.Regarding this project, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia H.E. Sun Chanthol said it had been thoroughly studied by a group of nearly 50 experts.The Funan Techo Canal project has very little impact, while the economic analysis and evaluation show that it will provide great benefits for the areas of trade, tourism, urban planning and construction and so on, he underlined.According to the project’s feasibility study, the US$1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal project is 180 kilometres long and 100 metres wide upstream and 80 metres downstream with two navigation lanes. The construction would take around four years to complete.The canal will link Prek Takeo of Mekong River to the sea in Kep province crossing four provinces: Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kep with a total of 1.6 million people living on either side of the waterway.
Cambodian PM Says Without Peace, Everything Is Nothing
Phnom Penh, May 30, 2024—Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet said without peace, everything, including freedom, development, etc. is nothing.Addressing the inauguration ceremony of achievements in the Buddhist Cultural Centre of Cambodia in Preah Suramarit-Kossamak Kirirom National Park in O’ Ses village, Chambak commune, Phnom Sruoch district of Kampong Speu province, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said these achievements are the real witness of peace in Cambodia.“Without peace, Cambodia will not have any achievements, including the Buddhist Cultural Centre of Cambodia,” he underlined.At the same time, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet reaffirmed the religious harmonisation between Buddhism and other religions in the Kingdom.The Premier also called on all to take part in further building trust and morality to promote peace and non violence.The Buddhist Cultural Centre of Cambodia has been built on an area of some 126 hectares on the initiative of Venerable Nhek Buntha and other Buddhist followers.Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister said this centre will become a key Buddhism as well as tourism destination in the country.