Cambodia Links Public Administration Reform to National Resilience Amid Rising Pressures

PHNOM PENH, Sept 16, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia must strengthen its public administration to build national resilience, respond to external pressures and protect national interests, Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many said Wednesday, as officials continue efforts to defend the country’s position on international platforms. Hun Many made the remarks at the third meeting of the Committee for Promoting Governance of Ministries and Institutions under the executive branch, held at the Secretariat of the Public Administration Reform Committee. He voiced strong support for the Cambodian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, which is currently engaged in conciliation proceedings under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) with Thailand. Hun Many said Cambodians were united in spirit with the delegation as it worked to present Cambodia’s position with dignity and defend national interests. “Our spirit is with the Cambodian delegation, which is carrying out its mission to defend and demonstrate Cambodia’s correctness with dignity and fully protect the national interest,” he said. Linking international developments to domestic affairs, Hun Many stressed the close relationship between external and internal factors, noting Cambodia has repeatedly faced influences requiring strategic decisions. He cited recent challenges including the CLV‑DTA issue in 2023, US tariff measures in 2024, territorial integrity concerns in 2025, as well as wars and shifts in the global order. These developments, he said, had direct impacts on Cambodia and underscored the need to strengthen internal capacity to respond to an increasingly complex environment. Public administration reform was therefore essential to reinforce resilience. Hun Many noted that countries worldwide are pursuing reforms to strengthen themselves and adapt to changing circumstances. For Cambodia, he said the process continues the mission of previous generations, with reforms aimed at bolstering resilience and safeguarding national interests. His remarks placed public administration reform within a wider national context, connecting the effectiveness of domestic institutions with Cambodia’s ability to navigate external pressures. The meeting highlighted the government’s continued emphasis on reform, with Hun Many stressing that stronger institutions would give Cambodia greater capacity to respond strategically while protecting national interests.