As the world continues to suffer from COVID-19, the Royal Government of Cambodia has reaffirmed its efforts to further enhance and strengthen its resilience and preparedness against the pandemic and other future contagious diseases.
The remarks were made by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia in his message on the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen said that the spread of COVID-19 has been severely affecting many sectors, especially the social and economic situation in the world. To date, more than 200 million people worldwide have been infected and over four million have died. At the same time, the world is experiencing a global economic crisis through a slowdown in national and international economic growth due to disruptions in the flow of economic and trade activities, primarily production lines, declining demand and supply of goods and services, tourism, along with travel restrictions and lockdowns to prevent the COVID-19 spread.
Despite this difficult situation, he added, Cambodia has been committed to continue the fight against the crisis through boosting the vaccination campaign for 13 million people as planned, supporting people’s livelihoods, helping maintain business balance, restoring and accelerating economic recovery by increasing attention to the development of health and social protection systems.
According to the Premier, the Royal Government of Cambodia has been preparing and planning to launch the post-COVID-19 economic recovery plan 2021-2023, with three main priorities.
First, rehabilitation: build a strong foundation for the economic recovery focusing on ensuing safety and impact management, maintaining balance and boosting the recovery of potential businesses, especially in the hard-hit sectors, and creating more jobs as soon as possible.
Second, reform: continue to take reform measures, including improving trade, investment and business environment and facilitation, and promote and develop digitalisation in the economic system both in the public and private sectors.
Third, resilience building: strengthen preparedness and response to future outbreak of diseases or similar situations, with a focus on developing strong and effective health and social protection systems and ensuring the sustainability and inclusiveness of socio-economic rehabilitation and development.
The 2021 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world”.