Phnom penh: The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Office for Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, along with representatives from UN agencies, have convened to discuss the progress of implementing Cambodia's Global Accelerator (GA) roadmap focusing on Decent Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) meeting, co-chaired by H.E. Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, and Ms. Xiaoyan Qian, ILO Country Director for Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, took place in Phnom Penh on January 21. The meeting aimed to advance the implementation of Cambodia's GA roadmap on Decent Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions.
During the meeting, H.E. Heng Sour emphasized the joint work plan between the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and the United Nations (UN), stressing its alignment with national priorities and practical implementation steps. He reiterated the RGC's commitment to collaborating with the UN system and other countries to achieve the objectives of the Global Catalytic Project.
The project seeks to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating decent jobs, particularly in the green, digital, and care economies, and expanding the social protection system to include those outside the formal system. H.E. Minister also highlighted the importance of employment and social protection as integral to Cambodia's 2050 vision for development.
The roadmap's adoption signifies Cambodia's dedication to promoting decent employment, expanding social protection, and ensuring fair, inclusive, and sustainable economic and green transitions. Ms. Xiaoyan Qian commended Cambodia's commitment and progress in participating in the Global Catalyst for Decent Work and Social Protection for a Just Transition project.
The Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, initiated by the UN in 2021, aims to create decent jobs, extend social protection, and support sustainable economies by fostering integrated policies, financial mobilization, and global cooperation. The roadmap, approved by the RGC in December 2024, targets challenges related to the informal economy and unskilled labor while broadening the social protection and welfare system.