Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 20 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that in some countries, frequent changes in government have disrupted policy implementation, with new administrations withdrawing or failing to execute planned policies. This has resulted in challenges in implementing social protection policies in those countries.

The premier spoke on Thursday (Feb. 20) at the opening of the Cambodian Social Protection Week 2025 and launching of the National Social Protection Policy Framework 2024-2035 at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel.

Samdech Thipadei added that in Cambodia, although there has been a transition in leadership from Samdech Techo to himself, the continuity of governance under one political party has ensured the smooth implementation of policies. He reaffirmed that the National Social Protection Policy 2024-2035 will continue as long as the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) remains in power.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet underscored, "When I meet with representatives from other countries, they often mention how policy implementation is hindered by frequent leadership changes. One leader introduces a policy without establishing a clear implementation mechanism, and the next leader cancels it. In some places, even health programs fluctuate depending on presidential terms. At the end of their term, policies are discarded, leaving no stable social protection system in place. But in our case, while the leadership has changed from Samdech Techo to me, we remain under one party with one policy. This continuity ensures the sustainability of our National Social Protection Policy, and we will continue to uphold it."

"If other parties were to lead, there is no guarantee that they would continue implementing the National Social Protection Policy, as they might choose to cancel it. However, under the government led by the CPP, the long-term policy for 2024-2035 is designed to ensure sustainability. He expressed confidence that the CPP will continue to lead for a long time, as it remains committed to genuinely serving the people.”

The premier raised the question, “Why does the government talk about the party? In every country, the government is led by a political party. The government executes the policies that the party put forward before the election—policies that were promised to the people. Therefore, as long as the CPP continues to lead, the policies we have established will continue. These policies have a clear roadmap, a well-defined implementation mechanism, and cannot be easily overturned.”

At the same time, Samdech Thipadei called on the people to place their trust in the government, led by the CPP, to continue advancing and strengthening the social protection program for the benefit of all citizens.

It should be noted that by the end of 2024, the National Social Protection Policy Framework 2016-2025 has so far covered more than 7.5 million people. Through its implementation, Cambodia's social protection system has made significant progress and achieved numerous accomplishments worthy of recognition. These achievements serve as tangible evidence of the Royal Government's efforts under all circumstances during past mandates and clearly demonstrate the results of the priority policy programs introduced by the seventh-mandate Royal Government.

To realise the 2050 vision of becoming a high-income country, the Royal Government has launched the National Social Protection Policy Framework 2024-2035. This long-term policy aims to provide comprehensive protection for all citizens against income insecurity at various stages of life. It seeks to enhance health and well-being, reduce poverty, address gender and social inequality, and strengthen solidarity, stability, and equity within Cambodian society. The framework is aligned with the Pentagon Strategy—Phase I of the seventh-mandate Royal Government.
=FRESH NEWS