The International Labour Organization (ILO) reported that it has provided more than 6,700 migrant workers coming home from Thailand with emergency information and services, the majority of them women. The recipients were in Banteay Meanchey, Koh Kong, Takeo, Kampong Speu, Kampong Cham and Siem Reap provinces. A November 27 press release form the UN agency said they had adapted their programme to this emergency, working alongside six civil society organisations and trade unions. They provided essential information about local employment opportunities, labour rights and safe migration to returnees at border checkpoints. Basic aid packages were also provided to vulnerable migrants…
Author: Niem Chheng
Pailin City has become a “Smoke-Free Tourist City”, a distinction officially recognised by the Ministry of Tourism. The official announcement was made on November 26 by tourism minister Huot Hak, together with Marianna Trias, WHO representative in Cambodia. According to the tourism ministry, the recognition follows an evaluation of the implementation of smoke-free environments within the tourism sector. The award is also recognised by the Smoke-Free Cities Asia Pacific Network (SCAN), the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) and the WHO. Hak noted that Pailin provincial authorities have worked hard to improve public infrastructure, decorate the city and add aesthetic…
Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona has suggested the establishment of regulations that will prevent the unauthorised copying of World Heritage sites. She shared her proposal during the 25th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention of UNESCO, held in Paris from November 24–25. Sackona delivered a keynote speech highlighting the past successes of cooperation between the World Heritage Centre and state parties in helping to preserve, manage and sustainably develop World Heritage properties, encompassing both cultural and natural sites. “At the same time, she also drew the attention of the meeting…
The Cambodian ambassador to the UN in Geneva has questioned the sentiments of a statement made by UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Vitit Muntarbhorn, stating that he believed it lacked substantive engagement with specific, well-documented incidents regarding human rights violations committed by Thai army. Via a November 25 post on his personal social media, ambassador In Dara noted that Muntarbhorn’s statement was released only after criticism from Senate President Hun Sen and the Permanent Mission of Cambodia in Geneva, about the special rapporteur’s prolonged inaction in the face of serious violations of human rights…
Minister of Tourism Hout Hak highlighted how the development of ecotourism and tourism communities is an appropriate mechanism for the effective and efficient development and conservation of natural resources within protected areas and biodiversity corridors. He addressed the opening ceremony of the “National Ecotourism Forum 2025” on November 24, stating that the development of ecotourism and tourism communities provides opportunities for local citizens to participate actively in decision-making, in organising and developing their own communities, in deriving direct benefits from tourism equitably and in profit-sharing from tourism and ecotourism services. Hak, who also serves as chairman of the National Committee…
Following criticisms of his month-long silence, Vitit Muntarbhorn, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, on November 24, has spoken out. He reiterated his support for peace and confidence-building measures between Cambodia and Thailand. “Any confidence-building measures that help build bridges between nations deserve our support,” Muntarbhorn said. “Civilians affected by the situation at the border should be assisted according to human rights standards,” he added. He had previously expressed his concerns about the displaced civilians who fled the conflict zones along the border and were staying at temporary sanctuaries. The Thai national, who took his…
The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has rejected allegations made by the Thai media and military which accused Cambodia of planting new anti-personnel mines along the Cambodia-Thailand border. In a November 25 statement, the CMAA said the allegations were publicised without any official, jointly verified investigation report, and without consultation through agreed bilateral mechanisms. “Cambodia firmly rejects any suggestion that its armed forces have laid new mines. Cambodia remains fully committed to its obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration on 26 October 2025 and all bilateral mechanisms with Thailand,” it said.…
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina has expressed his gratitude to the head of the government for the tax incentive measures announced by the Ministry of Economy and Finance today, November 25. According to the announcement, the state will cover the Value Added Tax (VAT) applied to the cultivation, production, domestic supply, or export of paddy rice, milled rice, corn, beans, pepper, cassava, cashew nuts, rubber, Pailin longan, mangoes, bananas, animal husbandry, aquaculture and the domestic supply of palm oil products used as raw materials for animal feed production. The announcement said enterprises supplying the items mentioned above…
Guangxi Minzu University has appointed Phann Vanrath, deputy prosecutor general to the Supreme Court of Cambodia, as Honorary Professor of the University for the term 2025–2028. The appointment was presented by university president Wei Shizhen during a ceremony at the China–ASEAN Law School, according to a November 24 press release. Following the ceremonial appointment, Vanrath delivered a keynote lecture titled “My Journey in Law: Lessons for Young Legal Minds in a Changing World”. He shared insights from his 26 years of judicial service, highlighting the importance of integrity, resilience, ethical responsibility and regional cooperation. “Vanrath emphasised that law is not…
The Ministry of Commerce demonstrated its support for stronger partnerships between public institutions, the private sector and producers by organising a workshop on fragrant rice value chain development, held under the Accelerating Inclusive Markets for Smallholders (AIMS) project. The November 24 workshop aimed to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to meet, discuss, share experiences and strengthen production and market access, with the participation of officials from relevant institutions and organisations, according to a press release. Tekreth Kamrang, ministry secretary of state, explained that the forum played a major role in strengthening and developing the rice and spice value chain markets.…