AKP Phnom Penh, March 21, 2025 --

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President H.E. Masato Kanda chose Cambodia for his inaugural official visit since assuming office in late February, signaling the bank's continued commitment to the nation's development.

He was warmly received by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports, H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron.

The visit, highlighted by a working luncheon on Mar. 20, 2025, focused heavily on Cambodia's education sector.

President Kanda expressed admiration for the country's progress and a particular interest in the ministry's initiatives, including flexible education pathways, the integration of science-based learning with vocational training, and the rollout of the full-day schooling programme.

"Ensuring a seamless transition to full-day learning is crucial," President Kanda emphasised, acknowledging the programme's importance to the ministry's strategic goals.

For his part, H.E. Minister Hang Chuon Naron thanked the ADB for its longstanding support in Cambodia's socio-economic development, specifically highlighting its contributions to education reforms. He provided updates on the implementation of education programmes aligned with the Royal Government's Pentagonal Strategy – Phase 1, led by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet.

"Education is a cornerstone of our national development," Minister Hang Chuon Naron stated, underscoring the royal government's focus on human capital development to achieve Cambodia's Vision 2030 and 2050.

The ADB, a key multilateral partner, actively supports Cambodia in infrastructure, education, and public sector management.

In the education sector, the ADB currently funds three major projects: Human Capital Competitiveness Project: Enhancing secondary education; Upper Secondary Education Sector Development Programme 2 (USESDP 2): Strengthening upper secondary education; Science and Technology in Secondary Education Project (STEP UP): Promoting science and technology education.

These projects underscore the ADB's commitment to improving education quality and bolstering human capital competitiveness in Cambodia.

The visit reinforces the strong partnership between Cambodia and the ADB, with a continued focus on driving sustainable development through education.

By K. Rithy Reak