AKP Phnom Penh, September 16, 2026 —

The newly appointed UNICEF Representative to Cambodia, Dr. Maha Damaj, has praised the long-standing partnership between UNICEF and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), which dates back to the early 1990s.

Damaj expressed her appreciation on Tuesday afternoon during a courtesy call with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron in Phnom Penh, where she formally launched her mission in the country.

During the meeting, Damaj reaffirmed UNICEF's commitment to deepening cooperation with the ministry to promote children's rights, well-being, and inclusive education. She highlighted targeted support for vulnerable groups, including ethnic minorities—through multilingual education—and children with disabilities, alongside cross-sectoral collaboration with the health sector on early childhood interventions.

She also stressed the successful implementation of the Cambodia-UNICEF Country Programme 2024–2028 and Phase III of the Capacity Development Partnership Fund (CDPF).

In response, H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron welcomed Damaj to her new role and expressed deep gratitude for UNICEF's continued support as a strategic partner, key grant agent for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and leader in driving human resource development in Cambodia.

The Minister outlined key national education priorities, including a pedagogical shift from rote learning to critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and practical application. He also emphasised strengthening early childhood education, implementing Model School Standards, and executing a GPE-supported strategic plan in close coordination with international partners, including UNESCO and the World Bank.

In addition, H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron underscored the urgency of advancing digital education transformation, deploying ICT and AI competency frameworks for teachers, and leveraging CDPF Phase III to improve school governance and enhance Cambodia’s regional and international competitiveness.

By K. Rithy Reak