AKP Phnom Penh, June 2, 2025 --

The Congress of the National Assembly and the Senate of Cambodia adopted a resolution affirming the Royal Government’s strategic priorities in strengthening the country’s social protection system, viewing it as essential to national resilience and sustainable development.

Chaired by Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, the Congress was attended by National Assembly President, Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, along with members of both legislative chambers, government leaders, and leaders of political parties.

The Congress was held following the proposal submitted by Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, focusing on three critical national issues: the social protection systems, the informal economy, and the agriculture sector.

This reflected a strategic understanding that social protection is not merely a safety net but a vital component of economic stability, societal cohesion and national resilience, especially amid increasing vulnerabilities.

The review committee highlighted that comprehensive social protection mechanisms — covering healthcare, social security, and pension reforms — are foundational to fostering resilient livelihoods and mitigating risks during crises.

They stressed that effective governance, transparency, and inclusiveness are crucial for the success of expanded social programs and for building public trust.

The Congress recognized remarkable achievements to date, including improvements in living standards and the stabilization of livelihoods during recent crises.

It commended government efforts to deliver essential services to vulnerable populations, emphasizing that social protection must evolve with changing socio-economic realities.

A central focus of the Resolution is to endorse a whole-of-society approach — integrating government agencies, civil society, and citizens — in designing and implementing social protection policies.

The Congress called for the expansion of universal health coverage, social security schemes, and pension reforms aimed at creating a sustainable safety net that enhances resilience against economic shocks.

Furthermore, the Resolution stressed the importance of ongoing legal reforms to strengthen the institutional framework, urging both legislative chambers to support future legislative initiatives that respond to emerging challenges in social protection.

These reforms were seen as crucial for ensuring that policies remain adaptive, inclusive, and capable of safeguarding vulnerable groups.

This resolution underscored Cambodia’s commitment to positioning social protection as a strategic pillar within its long-term development vision by mainstreaming inclusive policies that ensure no one is left behind and fostering a resilient society capable of confronting socio-economic changes.

Moreover, it seeks to propel the ongoing modernization of Cambodia’s social protection system — aligning it with national priorities of sustainability, social equity, and resilience — thus reinforcing the country’s trajectory toward a high-income country by 2050.

The Congress offered gratitude to national and sub-national institutions, civil servants, armed forces, and the public for their critical roles in implementing policies and maintaining social stability. It reaffirmed the collective responsibility to sustain peace, stability, and inclusive development.

By Chea Vannak