A group of 39 civil servants from the Kingdom of Cambodia is set to participate in a specialized training program on Public Policy and Governance at the prestigious National Center for Good Governance (NCGG) in Mussoorie, India. Scheduled from 15–26 September 2025, this initiative reflects the deepening partnership between India and Cambodia in strengthening institutional capacity and public administration.
The program is being organized under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. It marks the 11th specialized training course for Cambodian officials in this domain. Over the past two years, the collaboration has grown significantly. In 2023, four batches comprising 160 Cambodian civil servants received training at NCGG. The partnership expanded further in 2024 with six batches and 240 officials trained, representing ministries ranging from civil service and commerce to education and public works.
The current batch of participants includes officials from ten ministries of the Royal Government of Cambodia, including the Ministry of Civil Service, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Commerce, among others.
A formal send-off ceremony was held in Phnom Penh, presided over by H.E. Hun Many, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Service. During the event, Ambassador of India to Cambodia, H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung, highlighted the growing importance of human resource development in achieving effective governance. He encouraged the Cambodian delegation to make full use of the opportunity to enhance their skills and build meaningful partnerships in India.
“Capacity building in public policy is essential to deliver good governance and ensure citizen-centric development. I urge all Cambodian officials to make the most of their learning in India and become strong contributors to our bilateral relationship,” stated Ambassador Bawitlung.
The ITEC Programme, launched in 1964, is one of India’s oldest and most impactful international development cooperation initiatives. Over the years, more than 225,000 professionals from over 160 countries have been trained under ITEC in sectors such as governance, finance, technology, agriculture, health, and defence. In Cambodia alone, nearly 300 officials benefit annually from a wide array of ITEC courses delivered by over 120 Indian institutions.
This training program not only reinforces the enduring friendship between India and Cambodia but also plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of public sector leaders in the Kingdom. As both countries work towards common goals of inclusive growth and regional cooperation, such initiatives serve as a cornerstone for long-term strategic engagement.
