Phnom Penh, 2 June 2025 – Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet addressed the Congress of the National Assembly and the Senate on Monday afternoon, outlining the Kingdom's progress and future plans for its social protection system. The address, centered on the theme of "Social Protection" emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing the well-being of its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, in the face of ongoing global challenges.
The address, centered on the theme of "Social Protection" emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing the well-being of its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, in the face of ongoing global challenges.
The PM highlighted the substantial increase in coverage under various social assistance schemes, reaching over 1.2 million families (approximately 4.84 million individuals). These programs, encompassing cash transfers for pregnant women, scholarships for impoverished students, and support for persons with disabilities and the elderly, reflect a wide-ranging approach to social welfare.
The NSSF's reach has expanded to cover 3.1 million citizens, across both the public and private sectors. This expansion underscores the government's focus on providing comprehensive social security, including healthcare, occupational risk protection, and pensions.
The speech underscored the government's proactive response to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and inflationary pressures. The provision of social assistance, including cash transfers, played a crucial role in mitigating the impact on vulnerable families.
The social security agenda is closely aligned with Cambodia's broader development strategy, particularly the "Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I" (2023-2028). It reaffirmed the commitment to achieving universal healthcare coverage. A key step towards this is the extension of the health security system to independent workers and their dependents.
Prime Minister Hun Manet's address reaffirms the Cambodian government's dedication to building a comprehensive and resilient social protection system. The expansion of social safety nets is particularly significant given the Kingdom's ongoing economic development and its vulnerability to external shocks, such as pandemics and economic downturns.
The government's emphasis on governance, institutional reforms, digital transformation, and enhanced coordination across different agencies indicates a strategic approach to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of social protection programs. The adoption of risk mitigation strategy is crucial in a world where instability in social systems is increasing.
The Cambodian government's commitment to expanding social protection is likely to continue in the coming years. The focus will be on strengthening existing programs, extending coverage to marginalized populations, and improving governance and accountability within the social security system.
The introduction of new social assistance programs is expected in order to tackle the problems and vulnerabilities the citizens face. These efforts will be crucial for ensuring inclusive and sustainable development in Cambodia, mitigating the impact of crises, and promoting social cohesion.
