Phnom penh: Minister of Public Works and Transport H.E. Peng Ponea described the 16th Public and Private Joint Forum in the Asian Region, which was officially opened this afternoon in Phnom Penh, as a landmark event for Cambodia, marking the first time the Kingdom has hosted this high-level regional platform dedicated to advancing sustainable automotive growth across Asia.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the three-day Forum, co-organised by the Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transports and the Japan Automotive Standards Internationalisation Centre (JASIC) under the auspices of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), brings together leading government policymakers, automotive manufacturers, suppliers, researchers, and development partners committed to strengthening regional cooperation.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Peng Ponea underscored the forum's critical role in linking public-sector policy with private-sector innovation. He stressed that the exchange of ideas, experience, and technology across Asian economies is essential for improving interoperability and boosting regional competitiveness. He highlighted the need to harmonise technical regulations and standards, ensure mutual recognition of testing and certification systems, develop resilient regional supply chains, strengthen component manufacturing, and advance strategic investment in human-resource development and research capacity.
The Minister emphasised that the automotive sector is a key engine of industrialisation and economic integration, supporting millions of jobs and driving innovation and trade. He noted that Asia stands at a pivotal moment as the global automotive landscape evolves rapidly under technological change and digital connectivity. 'We are entering a new era defined by electrification, automation, and smart mobility,' he said.
For Cambodia, these changes present both opportunities and challenges as the country's automotive ecosystem is in an early but steadily developing stage. The Royal Government has prioritised policies promoting electric-vehicle (EV) adoption, vehicle safety, environmental protection, and regional standards harmonisation.
Minister Ponea highlighted the progress achieved through cooperation with partners like JASIC and within ASEAN frameworks, including the adoption of UN Vehicle Regulations under the 1958 Agreement, development of technical standards and regulations for vehicle inspection and safety, promotion of EVs through measures such as the National Policy on the Development of Electric Vehicles 2024-2030, the Cambodia Automotive and Electronics Development Roadmap, attractive financial incentives under the Law on Investment, and the expansion of the EV-charging infrastructure network.
As evidence of this progress, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport reported that as of October 2025, a total of 11,214 electric vehicles had been registered nationwide, including 7,669 cars and 3,545 motorcycles, confirming a continuous year-on-year rise in EV registrations.