Phnom Penh: The Congress of the National Assembly and the Senate of Cambodia adopted a resolution affirming the Royal Government's strategic priorities in strengthening the country's social protection system, viewing it as essential to national resilience and sustainable development.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Congress was chaired by Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and attended by National Assembly President Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, along with members of both legislative chambers, government leaders, and leaders of political parties. The meeting followed a proposal by Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, focusing on three critical national issues: the social protection systems, the informal economy, and the agriculture sector.
The Congress highlighted the strategic role of social protection, not just as a safety net but as a vital component of economic stability and national resilience. The review committee emphasized that comprehensive social protection mechanisms-covering healthcare, social security, and pension reforms-are foundational to fostering resilient livelihoods and mitigating risks during crises.
Effective governance, transparency, and inclusiveness were stressed as crucial factors for the success of expanded social programs and for building public trust. The Congress recognized achievements, such as improved living standards and stabilized livelihoods during recent crises, and commended government efforts in delivering essential services to vulnerable populations.
A central focus of the resolution is to endorse a whole-of-society approach-integrating government agencies, civil society, and citizens-in designing and implementing social protection policies. The Congress called for expanding universal health coverage, social security schemes, and pension reforms to create a sustainable safety net that enhances resilience against economic shocks.
Furthermore, the resolution emphasized the importance of ongoing legal reforms to strengthen the institutional framework. It urged both legislative chambers to support future legislative initiatives addressing emerging challenges in social protection. These reforms were deemed crucial for ensuring policies remain adaptive, inclusive, and capable of safeguarding vulnerable groups.
The resolution underscored Cambodia's commitment to positioning social protection as a strategic pillar within its long-term development vision, ensuring inclusive policies that leave no one behind and fostering a resilient society capable of confronting socio-economic changes. It aims to propel the modernization of Cambodia's social protection system, aligning it with national priorities of sustainability, social equity, and resilience, reinforcing the country's trajectory toward becoming a high-income country by 2050.
The Congress expressed gratitude to national and sub-national institutions, civil servants, armed forces, and the public for their roles in implementing policies and maintaining social stability. It reaffirmed the collective responsibility to sustain peace, stability, and inclusive development.