Cambodia Pushes for Citizen-Centric Public Service Reform at ASEAN Meeting

SIEM REAP, Aug 3, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has called for faster, more innovative and citizen‑centered public services as senior officials from across Southeast Asia gathered for the 23rd ASEAN Conference on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM), officials said. Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, Youk Bunna, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Civil Service, said rapid advances in digital technology and rising public expectations require governments to modernize service delivery. “In the context of the rapid evolution of digital technology and increasing public expectations, public services must continue to become more agile, innovative and citizen‑centered than ever before,” he said. Bunna said the changing environment offers governments an opportunity to strengthen governance, institutional excellence and invest in human capital. He described the ACCSM as an important platform for member states to exchange experiences, share best practices and deepen cooperation to promote good governance across the region. “Through our collective efforts, we can build public services that are resilient, efficient and capable of responding to future needs,” he said. He added that the meeting provides an opportunity for ASEAN members to review progress in civil service cooperation and set priorities for future collaboration, supporting the continuous development of public administration while contributing to ASEAN Community building. The 23rd ACCSM brought together senior civil service officials from ASEAN member states to discuss reforms, innovation and regional cooperation in public administration.