On the 7-8 of April 2025, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) organized a deep dive workshop on draft “National Artificial Intelligence Strategy”, in collaboration with and supported by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP). The workshop was presided over by His Excellency Keo Sothie, Secretary of State of MPTC, and attended by Mrs. Tiziana Bonapace, Director of the ICT and Disaster Risk Reduction Division of UN-ESCAP, along with international consultants, delegates from relevant departments of UN-ESCAP, leaders, technical officials, and policy officials from relevant units under MPTC.

The purpose of this workshop was to conduct a comprehensive discussion on the draft “National Artificial Intelligence Strategy”, which the MPTC had been developing over the course of more than a year through 12 internal meetings. This process aimed to ensure the strategy is well-refined, consistent with the national policy agenda, and aligned with the regional and international trends. During the workshop, all attendees engaged in in-depth discussions on all components of the draft strategy, including the vision, AI ecosystem, strategic priorities, and approaches to ensure the success of strategy implementation. The overarching goal is to maximize the benefits and minimize the negative impacts of AI, thereby contributing to Cambodia’s economic and social development.

During the mission to Cambodia, Mrs. Tiziana Bonapace led the UN-ESCAP delegation in paying a courtesy visit to His Excellency Chea Vandeth, Minister of MPTC. Mrs. Bonapace expressed her sincere gratitude to the Minister for the opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between UN-ESCAP and MPTC and emphasized the strong support from UN-ESCAP’s leadership for the development of the draft National AI Strategy, with MPTC serving as the lead ministry in this effort. The Minister expressed his appreciation to UN-ESCAP for the support in developing the National AI Strategy and briefed Mrs. Bonapace on MPTC’s role and achievements to highlight the potential for continued collaboration between the two institutions.

Please be informed that after the MPTC completed the drafting of the National AI Strategy, the draft was submitted for 2 rounds of technical consultation with UN-ESCAP experts, held on February 19 and March 18, 2025. It was then revised into a second version before being presented at this deep dive workshop. The draft, which has been reviewed and revised following this deep dive workshop, will undergo further consultations with ministries, institutions, and all relevant stakeholders, including higher education institutions, in May, and review at a national-level workshop scheduled for this upcoming June.

Experts, private sector, academic and research institutions, or development partners who are interested in participating in the development process of this national strategy, please contact ai-governance@mptc.gov.kh for further information.

This press release is issued to inform the general public, experts, private sector, and all development partners of this important information.

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