ASEAN Public Service Cooperation Meeting Boosts Reforms, Benefits Cambodian Citizens

The 23rd ASEAN Cooperation Meeting on Public Service (ACCMS) and the 8th ASEAN+3 Cooperation Meeting on Public Service (ACCSM+3), held in Siem Reap from August 3rd to 5th, 2026, have achieved numerous significant outcomes that will bring considerable benefits to the region and the Cambodian people. Speaking at a press conference on the afternoon of August 5th, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service, H.E. Hun Many, stated that the meetings approved and promoted measures to accelerate, facilitate access to, improve the quality of, and respond to the actual needs of public services. For Cambodia, the spirit of the theme aligns with the core of the first phase of the "Pentagonal Strategy" of the Royal Government, which prioritizes "Reform and Strengthening of Governance." This strategy emphasizes "Human, Road, Water, Electricity, and Technology" to achieve growth, employment, equity, efficiency, and sustainability. In this regard, H.E. Hun Many explained that innovation can help Cambodia transform its public administration into a modern administration that utilizes data, technology, and inter-institutional coordination to better solve the problems of its citizens. Innovation is not just about using digital tools but also about improving institutions, analyzing functions, reducing duplication of work, improving work processes, and training officials. For the Cambodian people, the key value lies in utilizing regional platforms to support the implementation of the three key measures for public administration reform. This includes the exchange of experiences, expertise, and techniques, as well as training and partnership building, to support the reform programs that are currently being actively promoted. Specifically, a system of incentives supporting achievements in public administration has been implemented with consistency, equity, efficiency, and sustainability. This system is designed to encourage civil servants to perform their duties more quickly, with higher efficiency, and to be more proactive in providing services based on clear achievement indicators, especially in priority sectors such as education and health. This supports achievements and links human resource management to actual work results, reflecting the attention of the Prime Minister in boosting the morale of officials to increase work efficiency, leading to the preparation of a merit-based official management system, where officials are appointed, have roles and responsibilities, possess competencies, demonstrate actual achievements and participation, and receive recognition and incentives. Source: AKP Khmer