SIHANOUKVILLE, 25 October 2024 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia (MFA.IC), in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Cambodia to ASEAN and the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund (ACCF) Management Team, hosted the ASEAN Project Development Training for Cambodia Government Officials and Cambodian-based ASEAN entities from 22-25 October in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
The training was conducted as part of the implementation of the 4th ASEAN Development Fund (ADF) Work Plan and promotion of ACCF.
CHUM Angvichet, Director-General of General Department of ASEAN, MFA.IC, highlighted the importance of understanding funding mechanisms available within ASEAN and how to effectively access and utilise these resources. Familiarity with the funding avenues and stages of the ASEAN Cooperation Project Cycle will empower participants to craft project proposals that are not only viable but also align with the strategic objectives of ASEAN.
He encouraged active participation from the participants in the training to enrich their own learning and contribute to the collective wisdom of the group, as the insights and skills gained will be instrumental in refining the quality of regional project proposals and enhancing Cambodia’s impact in the region.
A total of 56 Cambodian Government Officials from 27 line ministries/agencies and representatives of Cambodian-based ASEAN entity across the three ASEAN Community Pillars participated in the three-day training. Through presentations, exercises, group works, and panel discussions, participants were trained by the technical experts from ASEC to develop regional project proposals and manage ASEAN cooperation projects using a results-based management approach.
At the end of the training, participants developed and presented six regional project proposal drafts on: (1) Increasing Women Participation in Peacekeeping Operations; (2) Reducing Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in ASEAN; (3) Feasibility Study on the Construction of the Missing Rail Link between Cambodia and Viet Nam along the Singapore-Kunming Rail Link (SKRL); (4) Enhancing the Integration of Small and Medium Enterprises to Drive Regional Economic Growth; (5) Digitalisation in Climate Change of Weather Forecasting and Early Warning System; and (6) Improved Labour Productivity of ASEAN Farmers in the Context of Climate Change.
Participants took the opportunity to discuss coordination arrangements with Permanent Mission of Cambodia to ASEAN and ASEC, learn more about ACCF mechanisms, and consult their proposed project ideas with the ACCF Management Team.
KUNG Phoak, Secretary of State and ASEAN SOM Leader of Cambodia, MFA.IC, closed the training and gave high appreciation to ASEC, and also to the ACCF Management Team, since China had a very important role for supporting ASEAN Member States particularly Cambodia, and to the Permanent Mission of Cambodia to ASEAN, for collaborating with MFA.IC.
He also expressed appreciation to the participants for their active engagement throughout the training. He encouraged them to utilise the knowledge and skills acquired from the training and continue engaging with relevant stakeholders in Jakarta on the development and implementation of proposed ASEAN Cooperation Projects.
The training concluded with awarding of certificates signed by Nararya Soeprapto, DSG of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Hou Yanqi, Ambassador of People’s Republic of China, and KUNG Phoak, Secretary of State, MFA.IC of Cambodia to the participants by the MFA.IC to mark their completion of the course.
