Phnom Penh Awarded by WHO for Traffic Safety Promotion

Phnom Penh has been honored with an award from the World Health Organization (WHO) for its significant efforts in promoting traffic safety. The capital city was among eight cities selected from over 150 applicants across the Asia-Pacific region to receive the '2026 WHO Healthy Cities Recognition Awards'. The city's project, focusing on 'Safe, Active Transportation and Health Promotion, Driving Health and Reducing Inequalities in Urban Mobility,' was highly praised. On the afternoon of September 1st, at the '11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities' held in Sydney, Australia, a delegation led by Mr. Khuong Sreng, Governor of Phnom Penh, participated in the event. Ms. Dau Samphos, Deputy Director General of Administration and Spokesperson for the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration, stated that this award is a testament to the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration's dedication to improving the well-being of its citizens. She highlighted that the city's infrastructure development, strengthening of education and health systems, development of transportation systems including public buses, and plans to reduce the accident rate from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in response to rapid urbanization and population growth were highly recognized by the WHO. Ms. Samphos further emphasized that the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration has closely collaborated with the Partnership for Healthy Cities (PHC) network since 2017, implementing several key projects to enhance public health and well-being. These include projects on food safety and health promotion in educational institutions, reduction of accidents caused by drunk driving, and smoke-free zones in tourist areas like the Chaktomuk pedestrian street. These initiatives have effectively contributed to changing citizens' lifestyles, improving the social environment, and reducing risks associated with NCDs, thereby protecting the health and welfare of Phnom Penh residents. Moreover, in 2025, the administration piloted a project to 'Organize Infrastructure and Support Equipment to Enhance Travel Safety for Local Residents,' focusing on two schools: the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship School and the Hun Sen Chak Angre Primary-Secondary School. These locations, situated in busy entry/exit points of Phnom Penh, were identified as high-risk areas. The project implemented three major measures: (1) training and dissemination of road traffic laws to students and target populations, (2) improvement of infrastructure and installation of modern equipment including traffic signs, smart speed limit displays, and safety camera systems, and (3) strengthening monitoring measures and continuing existing practices such as deploying traffic police and personnel at schools to facilitate traffic during peak hours, effectively preventing risks. Through these comprehensive efforts, Phnom Penh has earned recognition from the WHO for its achievements in traffic safety promotion, leading to this prestigious award in 2026. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local