AKP Phnom Penh, March 07, 2025 --  

Australia has renewed its commitment as a devoted partner for Cambodia’s economic growth by contributing to infrastructure improvement and capacity-building programme.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Australia, through the Partnerships for Infrastructure programme, hosted a Ceremony for the Handover and Adoption of the Road and Bridge Specifications Phase 1, and Launch of Phase 2 Technical Assistance.

The event, held here on Mar. 5, was presided over by H.E. Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport, and H.E. Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The event officially launched the updated roads and bridge design specifications, a joint effort between Cambodia and Australia in modernising Cambodia’s twenty-year old standards to address infrastructure needs.

According to joint press release issued on Mar. 6, this initiative represents a deepening of the relationship between Cambodia and Australia, reflecting Cambodia's commitment to diverse international partnerships and delivering strong outcomes for Cambodians across the country.

"These technical specifications supported by Australia is another chapter of assistance contributing to the development of roads and bridges in Cambodia. These updated specifications, coupled with the capacity-building programme, will enable us to construct safer, more resilient, and more sustainable infrastructure that meets the needs of our people," said H.E. Minister Peng Ponea on the occasion.

H.E.  Derek Yip reiterated Australia's commitment to supporting Cambodia's development goals. "This partnership exemplifies the strong bond between our two nations," he added. "We are proud to support Cambodia in building a fit-for-purpose infrastructure system that contributes to economic growth, social inclusion, and climate resilience."

The handover also marked the launch of the second phase of Australia’s support, focused on building the capacity of Cambodian engineers and officials to effectively implement the new specifications. Through a series of workshops, training programmes, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, the programme will empower the Cambodian workforce to translate these standards into tangible improvements on the ground.

By Phal Sophanith