Phnom penh: Over 50 senior officials from 24 Cambodian ministries responsible for capacity-building programmes participated in a briefing session on the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme and the upcoming International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the briefing was organised by the Embassy of India in Cambodia in the presence of Ambassador of India H.E. Vanlalvawna Bawitlung. In his welcome address, the Ambassador highlighted the longstanding friendship and cooperation between India and Cambodia and emphasised the importance of human resource development in strengthening bilateral relations. He noted that the ITEC Programme remains one of India's flagship initiatives for sharing knowledge, expertise, and best practices with partner countries, including Cambodia.
The session featured a detailed presentation on the ITEC Training Programme, focusing on the application process for short-term training courses and practical guidance on how candidates can successfully apply online and participate in the programmes. Participants were briefed on eligibility criteria, required documentation, course selection procedures, and key tips for submitting applications effectively through the official ITEC portal.
Moreover, the programme included a presentation on the International Big Cat Alliance Summit, which is being held in New Delhi on June 1-2, 2026. The summit will be the first global gathering of its kind dedicated exclusively to bringing together world leaders to deliberate and address issues around conservation challenges faced by Big Cats in different parts of the world.
The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme is a fully funded capacity-building initiative sponsored by the Government of India. In Cambodia, the programme provides hundreds of Cambodian civil servants with opportunities to undertake short-to-medium-term professional training courses in India every year. These courses are designed to enhance administrative, technical, and professional skills across a wide range of sectors.
Under the programme, the Government of India covers all expenses for selected candidates, including international airfare, tuition fees, accommodation, and living allowance during the training period. Cambodia is allocated around 300 training slots annually under the ITEC Programme, and this initiative continues to be an important pillar in India's bilateral engagement with Cambodia in education, training, and human resource development for the mutual benefit of both countries.