Preah Sihanouk province is encouraging civil society organisations to strengthen digital capabilities and use modern technology effectively to improve transparency and working efficiency, helping develop the province into a model multi-purpose special economic zone and a major Cambodian economic pole.
The remarks were made by ឡុង ឌីម៉ង់, deputy governor of Preah Sihanouk, at the opening of a dialogue forum on “Strengthening Civil Society Organisations’ Capacity in the Digital Era” on the morning of July 9, 2026.
The deputy governor said the national government and provincial administration regarded civil society organisations as important development partners in social protection, environmental protection, community development and public well-being. Preah Sihanouk currently had 178 civil society organisations, communities and unions in total: 103 associations and non-governmental organisations, 57 communities and 18 local unions.
ឡុង ឌីម៉ង់ stressed that in the context of Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence (AI), civil society organisations should continue developing digital knowledge, strengthening cybersecurity and using digital platforms to improve outreach, transparency and communication with the public. This work aligned with the Cambodia Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021–2035 and the government’s first-phase Pentagonal Strategy.
Meanwhile, សុខ សុខុម, director of the organisation អង្គការស្រឡាញ់ធនធានធម្មជាតិ (CNRO) and chair of the provincial វ.ស.ស network, expressed full support for strengthening digital capabilities, describing digital technology as a foundation for good governance, transparency, efficiency and quality public services.
He said the provincial វ.ស.ស network had actively contributed to social development in natural resources, the environment, fisheries, tourism, education and social affairs. He urged the authorities and relevant parties to continue cooperating on digital capacity so that digital transformation would be effective and sustainable.
Separately, ដួង វីរ័ត្ន, permanent vice-president of the Civil Society Alliance Forum, recommended three key strategies for the វ.ស.ស network:
Improve digital capabilities and responsible technology use by carefully verifying information before publishing it.
Address problems first through discussion mechanisms with local authorities before sharing them through digital media.
Strengthen cooperation and experience sharing among civil society organisations to support effective and sustainable provincial development.
All the leaders expressed hope that the forum would become a platform for exchanging knowledge, building cooperation networks and encouraging civil society organisations to continue playing an active role in the development of Preah Sihanouk and Cambodia in the digital era.
Article: Pai Sokhim
Photos: Keo Dara
