(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen shared 15 recommendations aimed at promoting the welfare and harmony within society of veterans, former civil servants and their families.
Samdech Techo spoke during the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Cambodian Veterans Association, held at the Ministry of Interior on Monday (Sep. 29).
The 15 recommendations are as follows:
First, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation must continue to strengthen the timely and regular provision of social security benefits to veterans and former civil servants in line with Government regulations.
Second, the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Interior must work with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, as well as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, to verify the lists of veterans and families of fallen soldiers under their respective institutions before transferring them to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation for further management.
Third, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, in cooperation with relevant ministries, institutions and local authorities, must continue to promote community development projects for veterans and their families, while collecting and managing data on the actual living conditions of poor and disadvantaged veterans and their families. This would allow for short, medium and long-term vocational training, scholarships for their children, access to micro-credit, emergency relief and other measures to improve their livelihoods.
Fourth, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, together with the National Social Land Concession Committee, must continue to assess the feasibility of providing social land concessions to former armed forces, veterans and retirees who are genuinely poor.
Fifth, the Cambodia Veterans and Pensioners Association must continue implementing the project to build houses for veterans and pensioners who have contributed significantly and already own land within communities.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen noted that this project has been highly effective as veterans and retirees contribute their own land while the association, local authorities, philanthropists and citizens provide financial and material support. This culture of sharing has continuously improved the livelihoods of veterans and pensioners.
Sixth, relevant ministries, institutions and local authorities must prioritise the inclusion of veterans’ and pensioners’ development programmes at all levels. Local authorities must select capable veterans to lead various community organisations such as fishing communities, water user groups, forestry communities, wildlife conservation communities and other local leadership roles.
Seventh, relevant ministries, institutions, the Commander-in-Chief and all levels of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, the National Police Commissioner-General, all levels of the National Police, and all stationed units must work closely with the Cambodia Veterans and Pensioners Association in their areas, engaging with veterans without discrimination based on past affiliations.
Eighth, the Cambodia Veterans and Pensioners Association must strengthen its organisational structure at all levels to ensure stability and sustainability. Its strength depends on three factors:
(1) Correct policies and action plans;
(2) A strong organisational structure with membership and public support; and
(3) Adequate financial resources to sustain necessary operations.
Ninth, committees of the Cambodia Veterans and Pensioners Association at all levels must respect and implement the Association’s statutes, resolutions of congresses, and democratic principles of collective leadership and individual accountability. This includes holding meetings regularly and ensuring leaders fulfil their responsibilities effectively.
Tenth, committees at all levels must strengthen unity and solidarity within the Association, from top to grassroots level, with all members, for the ultimate benefit of veterans and pensioners.
Eleventh, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation must continue to support and cooperate with the Association at all levels, ensuring its sustainability. Supporting the Association also means fulfilling the Ministry’s duties in veterans’ and retirees’ affairs. This also fosters veterans’ direct participation and partnership in line with the good governance principle of partnership.
Twelfth, relevant ministries, institutions and local authorities must quickly establish veterans’ association committees at their respective levels in line with the Association’s statutes and guidance.
Thirteenth, the Cambodia Veterans and Pensioners Association must continue to encourage a culture of competition among veterans and retirees in three key areas:
(1) Building successful family economies;
(2) Helping one another to reduce poverty; and
(3) Developing the Association and national society.
Fourteenth, the Cambodia Veterans and Pensioners Association must strengthen the management and use of membership fees, contributions and donations from philanthropists with transparency and high accountability.
Fifteenth, the Cambodia Veterans and Pensioners Association must expand its friendship and cooperation with veterans’ associations and movements in friendly countries both in the region and globally.
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