A new policy white paper released yesterday, March 31, by the Southeast Asia Public Policy Institute (SEAPPI) and the Asian Vision Institute (AVI) is sounding the alarm on the concerning rates of alcohol consumption among young people in Cambodia. The report, titled “Developing a Policy Landscape in Cambodia to Combat Harmful Alcohol Consumption”, highlights troubling trends among youth, with 25.8 per cent of young people aged 15-19 engaging in heavy episodic drinking (HED) — a figure higher than many of Cambodia’s regional neighbours. “Cambodia is currently one of the only countries in Asia without a minimum legal purchasing age (MLPA)…
Author: Raksmey Hong
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has rejected the recent 2025 education ranking by the World Population Review, which placed Cambodia 120th out of 203 countries worldwide. The ministry argues that the ranking is not scientifically based and should not be used to compare or rank education systems. “The World Population Review’s education ranking was conducted by surveying thousands of people across 78 countries and then ranking the countries based on the survey responses,” said the ministry, in a March 31 statement. “The education survey focused on three areas: a well-developed public education system, university enrolment and high-quality education,”…
Get ready for an unforgettable cultural experience at the 2025 Village Festival, a remarkable event that promises to celebrate Cambodia’s rich traditions and bring them to life in a way you’ve never seen before. Held on April 5-6 and April 11-12, this year’s festival is set to be even bigger and better, featuring a range of exciting activities, performances, and workshops that highlight the beauty of Khmer folk games, arts and culture. For the first time ever, the Village Festival will be held in two locations. The first event will take place at Chip Mong 271 Mega Mall from April…
TikTok has launched a new feature, describing it as part of its efforts to strengthen its commitment to creating a safe space for users. The “Security Checkup” is a tool designed to help users better secure their accounts and ensure their safety while engaging with the platform. The feature provides an easy-to-navigate dashboard, enabling users to review and update their security settings with just a few simple taps. “Security Checkup guides users through important security measures such as linking a phone number and email for backup login options, enabling two-step verification and monitoring devices that have logged into their account,”…
Indonesia and Cambodia have reiterated their shared commitment in advancing gender mainstreaming policies and addressing the challenges faced by women. On March 26, Cambodian Minister of Women’s Affairs Ing Kantha Phavy met with Indonesian ambassador Santo Darmosumarto to discuss enhancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. “The minister highlighted the women’s affairs ministry’s strategy to mainstream gender into line ministries, institutions, national policies, national frameworks and strategic plans, including the Quadrangular Strategic Plan and the Pentagonal Strategic Plan,” said a women’s ministry statement. “Gender mainstreaming frameworks, incorporating gender-transformative approaches in legal frameworks, national policies and sectoral programmes, aim to drive systemic…
While Cambodia maintains a stable exchange rate and inflation below 1 per cent, seasonal economic patterns continue to influence the value of the riel, particularly during national holidays and other key financial periods. Speaking during a discussion with journalists and financial experts on “Promoting Financial Literacy and Responsible Credit Use”, Rath Sophoan, chairman of the Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC) shared his observations. The March 26 event was organised by the Credit Bureau Cambodia (CBC) and the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ). Sophoan highlighted how predictable short-term fluctuations of the riel occur during certain times of the year due…
The Miss Cosmo Cambodia (MCC) 2025 Photoshoot & Charity Activity in Stung Treng, is a unique event that merges glamour with goodwill. Designed to highlight the province’s breathtaking natural and cultural landscapes, the March 25 photoshoot aimed to boost tourism while raising awareness about environmental conservation. At the same time, the charity component will focus on supporting local communities through donations, volunteer efforts and empowerment programmes, reinforcing the pageant’s broader mission of social responsibility. “The MCC 2025 Activities were carried out at the Physical Legacy of the Sangkum Reastr Niyum King Father-Queen Mother (Borei O’Svay-Sen Chey) of the Queen Mother…
Cambodia ranks as the largest recipient of Official Development Assistance (ODA) from South Korea in 2025, surpassing 91 other partner countries. “This year, the Government of South Korea is expected to provide approximately $315 million in aid to Cambodia, focusing on critical sectors such as education, water management, health and sanitation, transportation and rural development,” noted the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The assistance includes 27 concessional loan projects, among which the highly anticipated Korea-Cambodia Friendship Bridge construction project is set to be a highlight. Additionally, there are 62 grant aid projects, including a capacity-building initiative aimed at improving the…
A nationwide movement to combat child malnutrition is gaining momentum in Cambodia, as authorities and humanitarian organisations intensify efforts to address food insecurity and promote better nutrition. Led by the Council for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), in collaboration with World Vision, the ENOUGH campaign is engaging communities across five provinces, advocating for healthier food choices and raising awareness of malnutrition, which remains a persistent challenge despite recent progress. The initiative follows last November’s 11th National Nutrition Day and aligns with the Cambodian Sustainable Development Goals 2030. A key focus has been tackling stunting, a condition affecting 21.9% of Cambodian…
The ancient Khmer story of “Neang But Somaly Botum Vatey” was brought to life at the MC Park Community Mall on March 22, as part of the Art and Law project organised by youth-led group Sithi Knhom – My Rights. The initiative, aimed at addressing the critical issue of consent in society, used Khmer classical dance to explore the importance of personal autonomy and gender equality. Supported by the Italian Business Chamber in Cambodia (ItaCham), the event featured discussions on the legal and cultural aspects of consent, drawing parallels between Cambodia and Italy’s own struggles with gender-based violence laws. Three…