Cambodia's Ministry of Health Reaffirms Strategic Partnership with UNFPA

Phnom Penh, August 4, 2026-- Prof. Dr. Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, met with Ms. Sandra Bernklau, UNFPA Representative to Cambodia, and her delegation at the Ministry of Health on August 4, 2026. The Minister expressed his warm welcome and highly valued UNFPA's close cooperation in promoting sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and youth development in Cambodia, particularly commending Ms. Bernklau's strategic leadership since August 2022. The meeting aimed to inform the Ministry of Health about the UN reform (UN80) and UNFPA's new strategic plan, which includes the addition of Strategic Outcome 4. It also focused on the commitment to jointly achieve the 'Three Zeros by 2030' targets. In response, Prof. Dr. Chheang Ra affirmed his support for the UN reform and UNFPA's new strategic plan. He highly praised UNFPA's support and past achievements, including the implementation of the 'National Strategy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 2025-2034,' the provision of emergency assistance and 'Dignity Kits' to vulnerable women and girls in border areas, the strengthening of the Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system, training of health officials to reduce maternal mortality, and the expansion of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) standards nationwide. The Minister reiterated that UNFPA is a crucial and indispensable strategic partner, and its cooperation programs in Cambodia are in smooth alignment with the Cambodian government's 'Pentagonal Strategy Phase I' and 'National Health Strategy Phase IV.' By Tes Chan Sotheary (Source: Ministry of Health) © All rights reserved by Agence Kampuchea Presse 2018