Cambodia strengthens governance and reform agenda at cabinet conference

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 24, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has reaffirmed its commitment to governance reform and institutional strengthening as key priorities for 2026, officials said at a high level conference of the Office of the Council of Ministers.

The meeting, chaired by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth, reviewed achievements in 2025 and outlined strategic directions for the year ahead. Around 600 senior officials and representatives from ministries and institutions attended, underscoring the central role of the Council of Ministers as the government’s core coordinating body.

Vissoth stressed the need to build a capable, professional and ethical public administration to support Cambodia’s long term development. He highlighted governance reform, institutional resilience and digital transformation as essential pillars to improve efficiency, transparency and service delivery.

He outlined four core values to guide civil servants — rule of law, meritocracy, unity and professionalism — alongside renewed emphasis on teamwork, innovation and accountability. He also called for stronger public financial management, human resource capacity and modernized administrative systems.

Officials said reinforcing governance standards will be critical as Cambodia faces a complex global environment marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and emerging challenges such as cybercrime. The conference also highlighted civil servants’ contributions to national solidarity, including support for frontline forces and affected communities.