• Society

Digital Technology a Key Driver for Socio-Economic Development: PM 

• By Torn Chanritheara
• April 22, 2024 5:10 PM

PHNOM PENH – Cambodia considers digital technology as a critical driver for socio-economic development, Prime Minister Hun Manet said on April 22 while calling for embracing new technologies for development.

The statement was made during an address to the 80th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in Bangkok, emphasizing that technology creates new engines of growth, promotes access to essential public services, and contributes to a modern and civilized society in which people receive inclusive, safe and reliable benefits. 

Technology also helps maintain national identity and culture, Hun Manet told the participants. 

He recalled that his government has put technology as one of the five key priorities in the new Pentagon Strategy-Phase 1, which was adopted by his cabinet soon after he came to office in August 2023.

In his address, the PM also highlighted key policy frameworks in technology that aimed to build a digitalized society and tap into emerging technology for social development, digital government and economy.

“These policy frameworks involve all stakeholders in society including government, citizens, private sector and together contributing to achieving Cambodian ambition of Cambodia’s Vision of 2050,” he said.

While the region made significant progress in digitalization, there are still challenges such as filling the digital gap, lack of infrastructure, access to quality internet service, limited digital literacy among people, lack of adoption and implementation, and cyber security and cybercrime, he said.

“These challenges have hampered the ability of countries to realize full growth and potential of their economies,” he said, adding that war, conflict and remnants of war are also obstacles.

He went on to say that the impact of mines and war remnants remain obstacles to the overall development of Cambodia including bridging the digital gap and internet access. Mine action has been added as the 18th goal of Cambodian sustainable development goal.     

Cambodia, the PM said, remains committed to its obligation under the Ottawa Convention which prohibited the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of mine. 

Cambodia will host the fifth Review Conference of the convention in November in Siem Reap. 

The country also set 2025 as the target year to be fully mine-free. As of 2024, 15 of Cambodia’s 25 provinces have already achieved the goal.