AKP Phnom Penh, September 24, 2022 — Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has underscored Cambodia’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 and sustain long-term socio-economic growth.
At the 77th Session of the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 23 afternoon (time in New York), Samdech Techo Hun Sen recalled that over the past two years, the Royal Government of Cambodia’s (RGC) has made great efforts in a pro-active manner to prevent the spread of Covid-19 virus through the introduction of health measures, social and economic interventions and administrative measures. The RGC has set COVID-19 vaccination as a Key Strategic Measure.
As a result, he continued, Cambodia has become one of the countries with the highest coverage rate of vaccinated population globally, particularly, achieving strong “Herd Immunity” and enabling the country to fully re-open in late 2021 as well as resuming all socio-economic activities in the new normal. “Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all our friendly countries who have provided vaccines to Cambodia through both bilateral and multilateral frameworks,” he said.
On social sector, the RGC has worked with development partners such as the UN agencies to launch and scale up a number of important programmes such as 1). Cash for Work Programme aimed at improving community infrastructure and providing additional employment opportunities and 2). Cash Transfer Programme for the poor and vulnerable households to help alleviate hardship and maintain the livelihood of the poor, the Premier pointed out.
On economic sector, he added, the RGC has made unremitting efforts to address chronic structural problems, competitiveness and promote economic diversification. In fact, the RGC has addressed major challenges faced by businesses through the implementation of the New Investment Law, Cambodia Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035, Strategic Framework and Programmes for Economic Recovery in the Context of Living with Covid-19 in a New Normal 2021-2023, Law on Public-Private Partnership and adoption of free trade agreements such as Cambodia-China FTA and Cambodia-Republic of Korea FTA and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Overall, Cambodian economy is estimated to achieve a growth rate of 5.4 percent by 2022, supported by a strong recovery in manufacturing, tourism and agriculture.
“In terms of democratisation process, the recent commune election held last June has reflected our continued efforts as more than 80 percent of registered voters went to cast their ballots in a free, fair, peaceful, and transparent manner. The appreciation and full support of Cambodian people for the unremitting efforts of RGC in preserving peace, political stability, socio-economic development, and the successful fight against the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in an overwhelming majority vote in favor of the ruling party,” he said.
Furthermore, on peacekeeping mission, Cambodia has continued deploying thousands of her peacekeeping forces to undertake missions in countries in crisis. More than 15 percent of Cambodian peacekeepers serving in UN missions are “women”. They are the role models, inspiring women and girls in often male-dominated societies to perform their rights and participate in the peace process.
“On the cooperation with the United Nations, I wish to note that just yesterday, the Supreme Court Chambers of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) issued its judgment to uphold the life sentence of former Khmer Rouge head of state for genocide, crimes against humanity, and grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions,” he said. “This historical moment highlighted the great cooperation between Cambodia and the United Nations through the hybrid court in bringing justice to the people of Cambodia who had suffered the heinous crime of auto genocide. We could tell the world of the truth that is found and justice that is served, and propagate to the world that this crime should never happen again in human history.”
Samdech Techo Prime Minister took the opportunity to express appreciation to all donors for providing supporting budget and to the Cambodian compatriots for their cooperation in consolidating national reconciliation process.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press