AKP Phnom Penh, March 04, 2026 --

Cambodia’s Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction on Wednesday jointly convened a national consultation workshop on village development, bringing together Royal Government officials, researchers and development partners to review progress and map out future strategy.

The workshop was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Say Samal, who also serves as Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, and Rural Development Minister H.E. Chhay Rithisen.

Around 460 participants, including senior ministry officials, representatives of partner organisations, policy research centres and technical experts from relevant institutions, attended the event held in Phnom Penh.

Presentations focused on the development of model villages in Cambodia, findings from nationwide research analysing and ranking village development levels, and strategies positioning housing as a foundation for rural township growth. Speakers included officials from both ministries and representatives from policy research institutions.

Organisers said the consultation aimed to assess development progress in light of public investment made by the Royal Government in recent years, identify best practices in village-level development, and select exemplary “model villages” for replication.

The workshop also sought to lay the groundwork for a coordinated strategic plan to accelerate rural development, in line with the Royal Government’s vision of transforming Cambodia into a high-income country by 2050.

By K. Rithy Reak