AKP Phnom Penh, April 22, 2025 --

H.E. Chhay Rithisen, Minister of Rural Development, this morning welcomed Mr. Janes Imanuel Ginting, National Director of World Vision International (WVI) in Cambodia, and his delegation for a courtesy visit and working discussion at the ministry’s office.

During the meeting, H.E. Minister briefed Mr. Ginting and his team on the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Vision and Phase 1 of the Pentagonal Strategy under the leadership of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The strategy focuses on five core pillars: Growth, Employment, Equity, Efficiency, and Sustainability, with five priority areas: People, Roads, Water, Electricity, and Digital Technology. These initiatives aim to achieve Cambodia’s 2050 vision of becoming a high-income economy.

H.E. Chhay Rithisen highlighted key achievements and the ministry’s priorities guided by its Five-Year Vision: “Building Cambodia’s Rural Areas to be Prosperous, Livable, Innovative, Digital, and Resilient – economically, socially, and culturally.” He emphasised the ministry’s commitment to improving household incomes and wellbeing in a sustainable manner, through five main strategies: 1. Development of resilient physical infrastructure and rural connectivity; 2. Enhancement of community health, sanitation, and living environments; 3. Rural community development; 4. Economic diversification and innovation in rural areas;
5. Institutional strengthening through policy reform, digital finance, and partnerships.

The minister also stressed the importance of “model villages” as key centres for development, providing socio-economic services and creating a positive ripple effect in surrounding areas. He noted that such villages help generate local livelihoods and income, reduce rural-urban disparities, and contribute to the realisation of “civilised rural communities.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening cooperation with government institutions and development partners, including WVI, to achieve the ministry’s rural development goals.

In response, Mr. Janes Imanuel Ginting expressed his gratitude to the minister for granting the meeting and acknowledged the longstanding partnership between WVI and the Royal Government of Cambodia since the 1970s. He reiterated WVI’s ongoing collaboration with the ministry in key rural development areas such as education, social services, health, clean water and sanitation, child protection, and community participation.

Mr. Ginting also praised the ministry’s dedication and clear strategic direction under the leadership of Minister Chhay Rithisen, commending efforts to transform Cambodia’s rural areas in alignment with national development policies. He pledged WVI’s continued support and commitment to deepening cooperation with the ministry for more impactful and sustainable outcomes.

H.E. Chhay Rithisen extended his appreciation to Mr. Ginting and his delegation for their visit and for their commitment to strengthening the partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development.

By K. Rithy Reak