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Cambodia, UNICEF sign 3-year cooperation plan

Xinhua, February 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Cambodian government and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) signed the new country program action plan from 2016 to 2018 on Wednesday, aimed to promote and protect the rights of children in the Southeast Asian country.

The action plan document was reached between Cambodian Minister of Planning Chhay Than and Debora Comini, UNICEF Representative to Cambodia.

"The plan identifies and addresses the key barriers that impede the realization of children's rights in Cambodia and outlines areas of collaboration for the coming three years," said a UNICEF's statement.

It would be focused on early childhood care and development, inclusive quality education, child protection, and social inclusion and governance.

"The estimated funding requirement for the three-year program is 65 million U.S. dollars," the statement said.

Chhay Than said the previous program of cooperation with UNICEF has contributed to improving the lives of many children and women in Cambodia.

"But we also recognize that many children are still left behind. We are pleased that the new country program will put more emphasis on the most disadvantaged children so that more children in Cambodia will have a chance to thrive and grow up to become healthy and productive adults," he said.

Cambodia has a large number of children and adolescents, with 45 percent of the total population aged 19 years or younger. Eleven percent are under the age of 5.

"While children in Cambodia today are growing up in a time of significant social and economic transformation, the progress is not experienced equally by all," Debora Comini said.

"Inequity can be passed down from one generation to another, in an endless cycle that will impact the whole society. That's why investing in children is the best investment that Cambodia can make for its future."

The program will be implemented in collaboration with Cambodian government agencies at the national and local level, with NGOs and development partners, private sector, academic institutions, the media and other UN agencies. Enditem