Cambodia Emphasizes Human Factor in Public Service Innovation Amid ASEAN Cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service, H.E. Dr. Hun Many, presided over the opening ceremony of a forum themed "Innovation for Better Public Service Delivery" held in Siem Reap on the morning of August 4, 2026. The forum was organized within the framework of the 23rd ASEAN Conference on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM) and the 8th ACCSM+3, with participation from heads of delegations, the ASEAN Secretariat, senior officials, national and sub-national ministry and institutional leaders, as well as numerous journalists. In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Hun Many emphasized that the forum is more than just an official meeting; it serves as a golden opportunity for consultation, experience exchange, and sharing best practices among practitioners, policymakers, public service providers, and reform advocates. He added that this platform is a cornerstone for strengthening robust cooperation in the public administration sector, which is closely linked to serving the supreme interests and responding to the practical needs of the people. The Deputy Prime Minister further stated that as technology rapidly evolves, public administration must also adapt to new contexts and challenges. In the face of a complex and changing international environment, characterized by global economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, energy crises, and shifts in world order, preparedness is paramount. Therefore, strengthening and expanding cooperation among ASEAN member states and ASEAN+3 countries is an indispensable necessity. Connecting to this context, H.E. Dr. Hun Many shared the progress of public administration reform in Cambodia, highlighting the government's high attention to enhancing both regional and global competitiveness. Beyond keeping pace with technological advancements, the Cambodian government considers strengthening the capacity of its officials a top priority, firmly believing that "all innovations always have the human element as the core actor, because humans and systems always complement each other." Source: CEN Cambodia