Cambodia is advancing efforts to inscribe additional elements of its living traditions on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage lists, with the Khmer New Year festival “Mohasangkran Chnam Thmey” expected to be considered for official recognition by the end of this year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. Sum Mab, spokesman for the ministry, confirmed that documentation for both the traditional Khmer wedding ceremony and the New Year Sangkran festival has been completed and submitted in line with UNESCO procedures. “We are waiting for the evaluation. The Khmer New Year festival ‘Mohasangkran Chnam Thmey’ is likely to be officially…
Author: Raksmey Hong
A group of young Cambodian artists and social innovators are turning imagination into a form of climate action, using the global “Solarpunk” movement to reimagine what a greener, more community-driven Phnom Penh could look like. The “Solarpunk 2.0” exhibition, set to open on February 21 from 1pm at Maloop Garden, brings together artists, researchers and environmental advocates to explore hopeful and culturally rooted visions of Cambodia’s sustainable future. The initiative builds on last year’s showcase during Clean Energy Week and expands discussions around renewable energy, green urbanism and community resilience. Rather than focusing on climate anxiety, the exhibition promotes optimism…
Regional policymakers, development partners and child-focused organisations have called for women and children to be placed at the centre of climate action, warning that the escalating climate crisis is increasingly driving protection, gender equality and social inclusion challenges across Southeast Asia. The message emerged during the February 12-13 Regional Dialogue on Sharing Good Practices and Lessons Learned on Social Inclusion of Climate Change on Women and Children in ASEAN, co-led by the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children representatives from Cambodia and Thailand, with support from Agence Française de Développement and World…
Cambodia experienced fewer nationwide power outages in 2025 compared with the previous years, as expanded grid infrastructure and sector reforms strengthened the country’s energy independence, following a decision to stop purchasing electricity from Thailand. Speaking at the 2025 work results and 2026 work direction conference of Electricite du Cambodge on February 12, Keo Rottanak, Minister of Mines and Energy, said improvements were driven by the expansion of high-voltage transmission lines, new national grid substations, broader medium-voltage networks and reinforced low-voltage distribution systems. “Power outages in 2025 across the country have been reduced further from last year, through the expansion of…
Reigning Miss Belgium 2025 Karen Jansen has praised Cambodia’s warmth and resilience following a humanitarian mission that brought her to communities in the country’s northwest, describing the experience as one that “will stay with me forever”. Jansen shared the reflection on February 11, as she prepared to conclude her reign and crown her successor. The message accompanied photos of her visiting Angkor Wat and participating in charitable activities, underscoring what she called the “power of humanity beyond borders”. “It has been an incredible honour to serve as your Miss Belgium and to represent our country on humanitarian missions around the…
Cambodia has recorded a sharp decline in imports of Thai consumer goods as a nationwide boycott reshapes purchasing patterns, even as industrial materials continue to dominate bilateral trade, according to the customs chief. General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) director-general Kun Nhem told the department’s February 12 annual meeting that imports from Thailand totaled more than $151 million in January, a steep 49.3 per cent drop from the $297 million recording during the same period in 2025, before border tensions disrupted trade. Nhem emphasised how the composition of imports has shifted significantly, with consumer goods falling by about 60…
Cambodia is being encouraged to accelerate trade diversification and strengthen domestic production after ongoing border tensions with Thailand exposed the country’s heavy reliance on Thai imports and supply chains, business leaders and economists warned, during a private-sector briefing in Phnom Penh. The European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (EuroCham) and UNICEF convened business leaders, logistics experts and humanitarian partners for a February 10 breakfast discussion examining the economic and social fallout of the border crisis. Participants warned that prolonged disruptions could reshape trade patterns while heightening risks for vulnerable communities along the border. Opening the session, UNICEF representative in Cambodia…
The United Kingdom is partnering with World Vision International in Cambodia to help displaced children continue their education after border-related population movements disrupted schooling in several provinces. “The initiative — supported through the British embassy in Phnom Penh — aims to ensure that children living in temporary accommodation can access safe, inclusive and quality learning opportunities while their communities recover from the impacts of displacement along the Cambodia–Thailand border,” explained a joint press release. Since early December, temporary school closures and the movement of families have interrupted education for many students, highlighting the urgent need for continued learning support during…
Cambodian authorities and development partners are stepping up efforts to strengthen evidence-based decision-making at the subnational level, with policymakers, researchers and civil society representatives gathering for the recent Ponlok Chomnes Provincial Policy Forum in Siem Reap. The forum, held at Sokha Angkor Resort on February 5, underscored a growing recognition that national strategies can only deliver tangible benefits when informed by local data and community realities. Speaking at the opening session, Sok Thol, Siem Reap deputy provincial governor, said the forum aimed to bridge provincial experiences with national policymaking to ensure that policies reflect the actual needs of citizens. He…
The government of South Korea has pledged $500,000 to support children and families affected by the recent Cambodia–Thailand border conflict, with the funding expected to help more than 24,000 children return safely to school after months of disruption. Announced in a joint press release with UNICEF Cambodia, the contribution will finance a 12-month integrated programme covering education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and child protection services. all aimed at accelerating recovery in conflict-affected communities and strengthening long-term resilience. UNICEF will work alongside national and sub-national authorities to ensure displaced and vulnerable children can regain access to education, recover lost learning…