WHO Awards Phnom Penh City for Traffic Safety Efforts

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – On September 1, 2026, at the "11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities" held in Sydney, Australia, Phnom Penh City was honored by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the 2026 Healthy Cities award for its significant efforts in promoting traffic safety and public health. A delegation led by Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng participated in the prestigious conference to receive the award. Ms. Douh Sampoth, Deputy Director of Administration and Spokesperson for the Phnom Penh Municipal Government, stated that this award is a great honor for Phnom Penh. The city has consistently prioritized the well-being of its citizens through various initiatives, including the improvement and construction of physical infrastructure, strengthening of primary education and healthcare systems, development of transportation networks via public bus services and master planning, and minimizing accident rates from non-communicable diseases to cope with rapid urbanization, increasing mobility, and construction. Ms. Sampoth further emphasized that the recognition by the WHO is a testament to the city's dedicated efforts. In close collaboration with the Partnership for Healthy Cities (PHC) network since 2017, Phnom Penh has implemented several key projects to enhance public health and well-being. These include initiatives to promote health and food safety in educational institutions, reduce accidents caused by drunk driving, and establish smoke-free zones in tourist areas like the Chaktomuk pedestrian street. These projects have effectively contributed to changing public lifestyle habits, improving the social environment, and mitigating risks associated with non-communicable diseases, thereby safeguarding the health and welfare of Phnom Penh residents. In 2025, Phnom Penh initiated and piloted the "Infrastructure and Support Equipment Development Project to Enhance Citizen Travel Safety." This project focused on two school areas with high traffic volume and potential risks: the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship School and the Hun Sen Chak Angre Primary-Secondary School, both located at busy entry and exit points of the city. The project implemented three main measures: (1) training and dissemination of road traffic laws to students and targeted citizens; (2) improvement of infrastructure and installation of modern support 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 during student arrival and departure times to facilitate traffic flow and effectively prevent risks. Through these comprehensive efforts, Phnom Penh has earned its place on the list of recipients for the 2026 WHO Healthy Cities award. Out of over 150 cities from the Asia-Pacific region that applied for evaluation and selection, eight cities, including Phnom Penh, were honored. Source: CEN Cambodia