Phnom Penh (FN), Oct. 26 – On October 25, 2024, The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Cambodia-Korea Alumni Association (CAMKAA) held the “2024 Annual Reception” at the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh on 25th October.
The event was attended by over 150 participants, including notable guests such as Mr. Park Jung-Wook, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Ms. Choi Moon Jung, Country Director of KOICA Cambodia Office, and Mr. Im Sour, President of KOICA Alumni Association and Deputy Secretary General of the Council for the Development of Cambodia.
The Korean government, through KOICA, has been actively involved in various modalities of cooperation with Cambodia, such as country-specific projects, multilateral partnerships, volunteer dispatch programs (World Friends Korea), and the CIAT (Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow) invitational training program. Since its inception in 1994, the CIAT program has been instrumental in fostering the exchange of expertise and technology, with around 4,000 Cambodian officials benefiting from these opportunities in Korea.
Mr. Park Jung-Wook, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, delivered a congratulatory speech during the event. He commended the significant progress in Cambodia-Korea relations and emphasized the importance of ongoing communication and people-to-people exchanges.
Ambassador Park also expressed his hope that CAMKAA would continue to serve as a key bridge between the two countries.
In 2024, KOICA conducted nine tailored courses to address specific needs of the Cambodian government. Officials from ministries such as the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation participated, with more than 160 Cambodian government officials gaining valuable insights and knowledge from the programs.
This year’s event featured representatives from key ministries, particularly the Ministry of Environment and Phnom Penh Capital Administration (PPCA), who shared their experiences on tackling environmental challenges, with a particular focus on waste management. The Ministry of Environment underscored the importance of strengthening national waste management policies, especially in the regulation and control of industrial and mining waste. Meanwhile, the PPCA highlighted the critical role of local authorities in handling municipal waste management.
Cambodia-Korea Alumni Association (CAMKAA), established in 2007 by KOICA alumni, continues to play a vital role in promoting knowledge-sharing and social contribution activities between the two nations. In October, CAMKAA, in collaboration with KOICA volunteers, conducted a meaningful social contribution event by donating educational and health supplies to Kampong Chnang Province.
In her welcoming speech, Ms. Choi Moon Jung, Country Director of KOICA Cambodia Office, expressed immense pride in CAMKAA’s ongoing knowledge-sharing activities and its contributions to local community support, underscoring the significance of these efforts in enhancing Cambodia-Korea cooperation.
Mr. Im Sour, President of CAMKAA, in his opening remarks, extended his gratitude to KOICA for its unwavering support and dedication to Cambodia's development, emphasizing the positive impact it has had on the country.
Both KOICA and CAMKAA reaffirmed their dedication to further strengthening the cooperation between Cambodia and Korea, building on their shared values and collaborative efforts towards a prosperous future.
=FRESH NEWS
