AKP Phnom Penh, January 21, 2026 --

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, and representatives of UN agencies have discussed the progress in the implementation of Cambodia’s Global Accelerator (GA) roadmap on Decent Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions.

H.E. Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, and Ms. Xiaoyan Qian, ILO Country Director for Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, co-chaired a Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) meeting in Phnom Penh on Jan. 21. 

The JTWG meeting aimed to promote the implementation of Cambodia’s roadmap of Global Accelerator (GA) roadmap on Decent Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. 

In the meeting, H.E. Heng Sour emphasised that the joint work plan between the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and the United Nations (UN) aims to ensure alignment with national priorities and unity on practical implementation steps. 

This also reflects the RGC's strong commitment to promoting the implementation of this roadmap, as well as its willingness to work closely with the UN system and other leading countries to ensure that the Global Catalytic Project achieves its set objectives, he said.

The project aims to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by supporting the creation of decent jobs, especially in the green economy, digital economy, and care economy, as well as expanding the social protection system to reach people outside the formal system.

H.E. Minister also underlined that employment and social protection are vital pillars for achieving Cambodia's 2050 vision, which is interconnected and mutually supportive in setting the direction for citizens' lives and the country's development ambitions. 

The adoption of this roadmap demonstrates Cambodia's strong commitment to promoting decent job, expanding social protection, and ensuring that economic and green transitions are conducted fairly, inclusively, and sustainably.

Ms. Xiaoyan Qian praised and highly valued Cambodia's commitment to participate in the Global Catalyst for Decent Work and Social Protection for a Just Transition project.

She said Cambodia is a country that practices practical work with the significant progress of the project process.

The Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions is a UN initiative launched in 2021 to create decent jobs, extend social protection, and foster sustainable economies, especially in the green, digital, and care sectors, by helping countries create integrated policies, mobilise financing, and boost global cooperation for a just recovery and ecological shift.
The roadmap, approved by the RGC in December 2024, will help to address key challenges related to the informal economy and the unskilled labour force, as well as expand the scope of the social protection and welfare system.

By Chea Vannak