Cambodia Pledges to Promote Gender Equality for ASEAN 2045 Vision

Cambodia has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment, considering them fundamental to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainably developing ASEAN Community towards the ASEAN 2045 Vision. This was stated by Ing Kantha Phavi, Minister of Women's Affairs, at the ASEAN Regional Forum on "Strengthening Gender Mainstreaming in Sectors Towards the ASEAN 2045 Vision," held in Siem Reap on September 14, 2026. "Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is a crucial compass for building a resilient, prosperous, and inclusive ASEAN Community," stated Ing Kantha Phavi. She further elaborated that Cambodia has integrated gender as a key element in its national policies, particularly through the first phase of the Strategic Five-Year Plan, which places women at the core of social development and gender-responsive budgeting. The Minister emphasized that gender mainstreaming must be carried out in accordance with new contexts, including digital transformation, economic development, employment, climate change, disaster management, and public service delivery, to ensure that no one is left behind in the development process. San Lwin, the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for the Socio-Cultural Community Pillar, stated that the forum is a significant opportunity for sharing experiences and identifying concrete recommendations to strengthen gender mainstreaming in all sectors. He highlighted that strengthening cross-sectoral and cross-pillar cooperation within ASEAN is essential for achieving common goals and responding to the specific needs of each member state. The two-day forum is expected to generate recommendations and new cooperation mechanisms to promote gender mainstreaming more effectively and ensure that the benefits of development reach all citizens equitably and inclusively.