AKP Phnom Penh, July 23, 2025 --

Cambodia's youth are currently experiencing unprecedented opportunities, access to quality education, and the guidance of capable teachers, a direct result of the Royal Government's steadfast commitment to human capital development.

This was stated by H.E. Pen Bona, Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister and Head of the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit.

Speaking at a public lecture this morning at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, H.E. Pen Bona underscored the Royal Government's strong emphasis on youth education. He highlighted that human capital development stands as the top priority under the Pentagonal Strategy - Phase 1 of the seventh legislature, led by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet.

H.E. Pen Bona also detailed the Royal Government's initiatives, which include prioritising the care of infants and children from impoverished families, beginning from the prenatal stage until the age of two. This support extends through scholarships that continue until the completion of secondary education. For young people not pursuing university studies, the Royal Government provides free technical and vocational training, coupled with financial assistance, to ensure they have avenues to develop valuable skills and contribute to the nation's progress.

"This generation of youth is fortunate to live in a society that offers a conducive environment for education, unlike previous generations who had limited opportunities and faced hardship and delayed schooling," H.E. Pen Bona remarked.

He thus urged young people to actively seize these opportunities to cultivate themselves into invaluable human resources for Cambodia.

"No matter how supportive the environment, opportunities will not come to those who do not make efforts to pursue them," he stressed, offering practical strategies for youth to excel in both knowledge and ethics.

The lecture, titled "Youth Participation Toward Achieving Cambodia’s Vision 2050," attracted approximately 300 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. Its primary aim was to enhance students' comprehension of national policies and the Pentagonal Strategy, thereby equipping them to contribute effectively to Cambodia's journey toward becoming a high-income nation by 2050.

The event also featured a presentation by H.E. Tan Jean-François, Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who discussed "The Consistent and Flexible Direction of Cambodia’s Foreign Policy."

Remarks were also delivered by H.E. Dr. Yang Pov, Secretary-General of the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

The lecture was well-attended by professors, scholars, and students keen to deepen their knowledge and involvement in Cambodia's development.

By K. Rithy Reak