Prime Minister Hun Manet attends the opening ceremony of the first Digital Government Forum 2024 and Cambodia-International Digital Government and Digital Technology Exhibition. STPM
Cambodia is making substantial progress toward its 2035 goal of a fully digital economy. It has completed one-third of its journey, as highlighted in a recent workshop on the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework for the Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework.
Held on April 25 at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the event marked a significant milestone in the country's efforts to build a sustainable and inclusive digital economy, with the finalised M&E framework poised to track and accelerate progress toward a digitally transformed society.
Alissar Chaker, resident representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Cambodia, expressed her appreciation for the collaborative efforts between the UNDP and the Cambodian government in moving the digital transformation forward.
She emphasised that the M&E framework, once finalised, would play a crucial role in monitoring the progress of the Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework, which aims to position Cambodia as a leader in the digital world by 2035.
“We have already achieved one-third of the journey towards the full digital transformation by 2035,” Chaker said in her remarks.
Alissar Chaker, resident representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Cambodia addresses the opening ceremony of a consultation workshop on the digital economy and society policy Framework 2021 – 2035. UNDP Cambodia
Key accomplishments include building digital infrastructure, launching initiatives like verify.gov.kh for digital government services, and accelerating digital business growth, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is a critical moment. It’s time to take stock of the progress, review areas where targets may need to be adjusted, and determine where acceleration is needed,” added Chaker.
The workshop marks a pivotal point in Cambodia’s digital policy as it looks to set clear indicators across all dimensions of digital development, including governance, digital services, security and digital inclusion.
The draft M&E framework will allow the government to track these areas, assess gaps and adjust policies accordingly.
One of the primary themes emerging from the workshop discussions is digital inclusion, with a particular focus on bridging the digital divide in terms of gender and geography.
With Cambodia's rural and marginalised communities often left out of the digital ecosystem, the government and its partners are working to ensure that digital transformation benefits everyone, no matter their location or gender.
“The importance of keeping ‘people’ at the core of digital development and transformation is emphasized throughout Cambodia’s digital policies, and today’s discussion should focus on how to better bridge this gap,” Chaker noted.
“Disaggregated indicators and data are essential to inform targeted policies and interventions that will address these gaps and ensure equitable access for all Cambodians,” she added.
The workshop also served as a platform to showcase Cambodia’s growing digital security measures.
Chaker praised recent efforts by the Cambodian Government, including the establishment of the Digital Security Committee and the launch of the Verify.gov.kh platform, which aims to combat digital scams and protect citizens.
“The digital transformation is about adopting and maximizing the benefits of advances in information and communication technology (ICT) and digital technology to increase productivity and economic efficiency, boost national economic growth, and build a civilised society where digital citizens can benefit from the use of digital services with high inclusiveness, reliability and trustworthiness, while at the same time maintaining national identity and culture,” said former Prime Minister Hun Sen, when the Kingdom’s 2021-2035 digital framework was launched in May 2021.
Additionally, the government’s Strategy for the Development of E-services for Businesses 2025-2028 is a vital step in improving the country’s digital economy by encouraging innovation and streamlining business services.
“Cambodia’s commitment to creating a secure digital environment is commendable,” Chaker added.
“The deployment of AI and machine learning tools to enhance public services and the needs of citizens are critical advancements that will not only improve the lives of Cambodians but also contribute to the country’s future growth,” she continued.
While the M&E framework will be used to guide the digital economy, it is only the beginning. Cambodia’s long-term success depends on the government's ability to effectively monitor progress and implement responsive interventions.
The framework is expected to support the development of policies that respond to both the opportunities and challenges presented by the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The UNDP has been an integral partner in Cambodia’s digital journey, offering technical expertise and providing digital solutions across various sectors.
The UN body’s contributions include supporting digital business acceleration during the Covid-19 pandemic, providing online platforms for environmental data management, and introducing blockchain-based solutions for lending access to small businesses.
As Cambodia prepares for the next phase of its digital development, international collaboration is also a significant aspect of its strategy.
The country is part of a regional effort, with the UNDP Kazakhstan and Astana Civil Service Hub facilitating an exchange of knowledge on digital governance.
Through these partnerships, Cambodia is learning from other nations and contributing to the broader regional discourse on digital transformation.
“We are proud to accompany Cambodia on this journey, and the participation in regional dialogues on digital governance is just one of many ways Cambodia is strengthening its role in shaping the future of digital governance in Asia,” Chaker said.
The next steps will focus on continuing to refine the M&E framework and ensure that Cambodia’s digital economy evolves in a way that benefits every citizen.
“We are committed to continuing to support Cambodia in this exciting transformation. Together, we will ensure that the digital economy is inclusive and delivers lasting, positive change for all Cambodians,” added Chaker.
