AKP Phnom Penh, April 29, 2025 --

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service H.E. Hun Many has underscored major progress in civil service reform and public administration modernisation, at a high-level public forum on the “Review and Analysis of Functions and Organisational Structures within Ministries and Institutions” on April 29 at the National Assembly Palace.

The forum was presided over by Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly, and brought together around 300 distinguished participants from both the legislative and executive branches, including the Senate, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Civil Service, and the Secretariat-General of the National Assembly.

In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many emphasised the expanded role of the Ministry of Civil Service as the Secretariat of the National Committee for Promoting Public Administration Reform under the 7th Legislature and the ongoing leadership in civil service management and reform, underscoring the commitment to strengthening and modernising public administration in Cambodia.

He also highlighted the significant progress made in 2024 and early 2025, which was made possible by the Royal Government’s unwavering support and the strong cooperation of all ministries, institutions, subnational administrations, and development partners.

H.E. Hun Many pointed to four major areas of progress:

First, DPM Hun Many highlighted that the management of the civil service sector has seen continuous improvements, including the issuance of legal and regulatory documents, strengthened contract staff management, updates on administrative and civil servant status, timely salary payments through the banking system, gradual increases in salaries and allowances for civil servants, armed forces, and municipal and provincial officials, enhanced social security for retired civil servants and veterans, promotion of inclusivity with a focus on gender equality and support for persons with disabilities, and reinforced international cooperation and ASEAN engagement.

Second, DPM Hun Many mentioned that capacity building for civil servants has advanced through various training programmes at the Royal School of Administration, including leadership and innovation courses for senior and subnational officials, as well as specialised training for heads and deputy heads of secondary schools and health centres. Additionally, a new course on 'Excellence as a Civil Servant' was introduced to foster professionalism, ethics, and patriotism among public servants.

Third, DPM Hun Many emphasised the information technology system for managing civil servants has been continuously developed in alignment with Cambodia’s Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021–2035. New management systems for civil service data, attendance tracking, payroll, and data security have been introduced, along with the rollout of smart ID cards for identification and payroll access. These initiatives contribute to enhanced efficiency and the further digitisation of civil service management.

Fourth, DPM Hun Many stated that, in its role as the Secretariat of the National Committee for Promoting Public Administration Reform, the Ministry of Civil Service coordinated the development of the Action Plan for the Implementation of Key Measures for Public Administration Reform (2024–2028) under the 7th Legislature. The plan, which was consulted with various ministries and institutions and approved by Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, in May 2024, is set to be implemented across all ministries and institutions.

H.E. DPM Hun Many concluded by reaffirming the Royal Government’s commitment to achieving long-term success in civil service reform, emphasising that these measures will lay the foundation for a more efficient, accountable, and inclusive public administration in Cambodia.

By Chea Vannak