Asian Development Bank (ADB) President H.E. Masato Kanda selected Cambodia for his first official visit since assuming office in late February, underscoring the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting the country’s development.
President Kanda was welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports, H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron. The visit included a working luncheon on March 20, 2025, where discussions centered on Cambodia’s education sector.
President Kanda commended Cambodia’s progress and expressed particular interest in the ministry’s initiatives, including flexible education pathways, the integration of science-based learning with vocational training, and the implementation of the full-day schooling programme. “Ensuring a seamless transition to full-day learning is crucial,” he emphasized, recognizing the programme’s strategic importance to the ministry’s long-term goals.
Minister Hang Chuon Naron thanked the ADB for its consistent support of Cambodia’s socio-economic development, particularly in the education sector. He provided updates on the progress of education programmes aligned with the Royal Government’s Pentagonal Strategy – Phase 1, led by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet. “Education is a cornerstone of our national development,” Minister Hang Chuon Naron stated, highlighting the government’s focus on human capital development to achieve Cambodia’s Vision 2030 and 2050.
The ADB remains a key multilateral partner for Cambodia, actively supporting infrastructure, education, and public sector management. In the education sector, the ADB is currently funding three major projects aimed at enhancing education quality and strengthening human capital:
- Human Capital Competitiveness Project – Enhancing secondary education.
- Upper Secondary Education Sector Development Programme 2 (USESDP 2) – Strengthening upper secondary education.
- Science and Technology in Secondary Education Project (STEP UP) – Promoting science and technology education.
President Kanda’s visit reinforces the strong partnership between Cambodia and the ADB, with a shared focus on driving sustainable development through improved education and human capital competitiveness.
