Cambodian Senate Proposes Enhanced Cooperation with UNDP for Local Citizen Support Programs

The Senate of Cambodia has proposed strengthening cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the implementation of programs aimed at assisting citizens at the grassroots level. This proposal was put forth by the First Vice President of the Senate, Mr. Uch Borith, during a meeting with Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, the UNDP Country Representative in Cambodia. During the meeting, held on July 27, 2026, Mr. Uch Borith informed the UNDP representative about two main priorities of the Senate's work under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen. One of these priorities is to foster closer engagement between the Senate and the Commune Councils. Mr. Borith stated that direct communication with constituents is crucial for understanding and contributing to the resolution of people's requests. He noted that this activity aligns with UNDP's assistance programs aimed at improving the well-being of citizens at the local level. In this spirit, the First Vice President proposed cooperation between the Senate and UNDP to implement programs that benefit local citizens. He also suggested the exchange of experiences and expertise through workshops or round-table meetings. He affirmed the Senate's commitment to collaborating with UNDP for the benefit of the Cambodian people. Mr. Uch Borith generally praised UNDP's support in various sectors, including good governance, youth empowerment, climate resilience, and UNDP's Country Programme for Cambodia for 2024-2028. This program focuses on green economic growth, climate action, institutional strengthening, and the Cambodia 2050 Vision. He further stated that UNDP's assistance programs have significantly contributed to the Royal Government's efforts to achieve Cambodia's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2016-2030 and are in line with the government's first phase of the 'Pentagonal Strategy'. He also thanked UNDP for its support in preparing for Cambodia's graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Country Representative in Cambodia, affirmed UNDP's commitment as a partner in Cambodia's development and its provision of technical support to guide the country's graduation from LDC status, despite the complex challenges and changes currently facing the global multilateral system. Regarding enhancing cooperation with the Senate, the UNDP representative agreed to discussions and exchanges of views on themes related to the SDGs to support the legislative function and continue assisting Cambodia as a trusted development partner. Information source: Kampuchea Thmey Local