Cambodia is actively advocating the adoption of digital technology within its ministries and public institutions. This initiative is aimed at expediting the digital government transformation process, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the timely and efficient delivery of public services in the digital era.
To actively engage in this transformative effort, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications organised the inaugural “Promoting Governance and Digital Technology” conference on October 24.
The theme of the event, “Promoting the Digital Transformation of the Public Sector”, provided a platform for civil servants to familiarise themselves with, understand, implement and exchange valuable insights related to the development of digital systems for service delivery across various professional fields within their institutions.
Approximately 200 leaders, technical experts and representatives from state institutions, development partners, organisations, associations and the private sector participated in the programme.
Chea Vandeth, telecoms minister and chair of the Digital Government Committee who presided over the event, emphasised that building a digital government aligns with the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I. This strategic endeavour, he noted, holds significant importance for the nation as it strives to enhance the provision of public services.
“This conference marks the initiation of efforts aimed at fostering dialogue, exchanging experiences and integrating the adoption and utilisation of digital technology in public service delivery. It also serves as a platform to explore past challenges and solutions among stakeholders, particularly within ministries and institutions,” he said.
“The blueprint for the digital transformation of ministries and institutions necessitates a well-defined implementation mechanism and a leadership structure. As a fundamental requirement, each ministry and institution must establish a dedicated digital transformation unit. Additionally, the creation of a network of digital devices and a structured data centre system, along with the development of digital plans and action strategies within ministries and institutions, is imperative,” he added.
German ambassador Stefan Messerer, who was also present at the event, highlighted the significance of digitalisation in public administration concerning the digital government transformation process.
“The digital transformation is not merely altering the manner in which individuals engage with the government, but it is also reshaping internal work processes and the delivery of public services to the citizenry,” he stated.
He added that instilling digital technology knowledge within the public sector serves as the cornerstone for constructing an efficient, responsive and citizen-focused digital government.
Por Pheak, a secretary of state for the Ministry of Interior and a guest speaker at the conference, said his ministry is ready for digital transformation, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and speed of public services. He added that the ministry has developed significant action plans linked to digital technology implementation.
He also stated that a comprehensive five-year digital strategic plan (2023-27) has been formulated through in-depth examination of these key points. The plan primarily focuses on several major objectives: streamlining administrative work in public services, enhancing technical skills, fortifying cyber security, fostering research, innovation, digital advancement and promoting training initiatives.
“To contribute to this objective, multiple strategies are in place, encompassing human resource training, the integration of knowledge, infrastructure and digital technology development, security enhancement, technology crime prevention, research, innovation, the enhancement of work quality, public services and technology governance,” he explained.
It’s important to highlight that in July, the telecoms ministry initiated the construction of the National Data Centre. This facility holds significant value for both the public and private sectors in Cambodia. It offers a secure and dependable technology infrastructure, serving as a central hub for collecting and storing government and corporate data from key sectors. This, in turn, bestows various advantages upon ministries and institutions, including data sovereignty, cost savings and the augmentation of service capabilities.
