Government to Cut and Merge Ministries in Civil Service Reform

PHNOM PENH, May 22, 2026 (KPT) — The government has approved sweeping civil service reforms that will cut, merge and restructure ministries and state institutions in a bid to streamline administration and improve efficiency.

The measures, endorsed at a Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, require ministries and agencies to review their organisational structures, reduce unnecessary offices and maintain only essential functions.

Officials said the reforms are guided by principles of “strengthening rather than expanding” and “organising the house properly.”

Civil servants affected by the restructuring will retain their salaries and benefits. Staff whose departments or offices are abolished or merged will be reassigned to equivalent or lower‑ranking management positions while keeping existing pay and entitlements.

The reforms apply across all levels of administration, including general departments, departments and office‑level units.

Some department‑level units may operate without office‑level structures if ministries determine they are unnecessary, with technical officials working directly under department leadership.

Ministries and institutions have been instructed to complete the restructuring process within three months.

Officials said the measures are intended to strengthen the effectiveness of the civil service, reduce duplication and align state institutions with Cambodia’s long‑term reform agenda.

The restructuring reflects Prime Minister Hun Manet’s push to modernise public administration and ensure ministries deliver services more efficiently to citizens and businesses.