Phnom Penh Earns WHO Healthy Cities Award for Safe School Zones

PHNOM PENH, Sept 1, 2026 (KPT) — Phnom Penh has received a 2026 WHO Healthy Cities Recognition Award for its Safe School Zone Project, which officials say has reduced self‑reported crashes by 58 percent around two intervention schools while improving road safety for students and communities. The award, under the category Safe, Active and Health‑enabling Transport: Advancing Health and Reducing Inequities in Urban Mobility, recognizes Phnom Penh’s efforts to improve safety and promote healthier urban transport, the World Health Organization said Monday. The Safe School Zone Project combines road‑safety data with infrastructure upgrades, 30 km/h speed management, traffic enforcement, education and community engagement around high‑risk schools. Following the interventions, the two participating schools improved from one‑star road‑safety ratings to 4.2 and 3.5 stars, respectively. The project also reported lower vehicle speeds and provided road‑safety training to 500 students. Officials said the reported 58 percent reduction in crashes highlights the potential impact of combining speed management, safer infrastructure and community‑based measures around schools. The initiative also underscores the importance of integrating transport safety with public health and reducing inequalities in access to safe urban mobility. The WHO Healthy Cities Recognition Awards will be presented during the 11th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities, taking place in Sydney, Australia, from September 1–3, 2026. Phnom Penh’s recognition places the Cambodian capital alongside other cities advancing innovative approaches to urban health and safety.