(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called upon various stakeholders to leverage the opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to propel the nation towards a modern, technology-driven digital economy.

His statement was made in a letter issued in anticipation of the 4th National Day of Science, Technology and Innovation, set to take place from 26-28 March 2026, at the Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Centre in Phnom Penh, under the theme “Innovation for National Advancement.”

The prime minister underscored AI as one of the fastest-evolving technologies globally. He conveyed that the swift advancement of AI presents an unprecedented opportunity for Cambodia to harness its capabilities, facilitating the transition to a digital economy and enhancing productivity and quality across both public and private sectors.

He further articulated that the Royal Government has established a National Research Fund designed to support the research and development initiatives of public and private research institutions. This initiative aims to foster a robust, inclusive, and sustainable national innovation ecosystem.

He also characterised this initiative as a pivotal advancement in Cambodia's journey from dependence on imported technologies to becoming a centre of knowledge and technology creation in the region.

The three-day National Day of Science, Technology, and Innovation event reflects the government's ongoing commitment to socio-economic development, with an emphasis on value creation, aiming to realise the vision of transforming Cambodia into a high-income country by 2050 through the advancement of national innovation.

In the message, the prime minister tasked the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, along with the National Council of Science, Technology and Innovation, with coordinating efforts to bolster the development of the national innovation system.

Their objective is to ensure collaborative engagement among relevant ministries, institutions, development partners, industries, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and the broader Cambodian community to devise comprehensive strategies, adopt suitable technologies, and develop technological products that align with Cambodia's actual needs.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasised the importance of collaboration among ministries and institutions, universities, research institutes, development partners, and the private sector to advance science, technology, and innovation. He encouraged the cultivation of an innovation culture across all facets of work and daily life to establish an effective, inclusive, and sustainable national innovation system.
=FRESH NEWS