The Ministry of Health and UNICEF Cambodia are committed to achieving Cambodia's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Child and Women’s Health as planned.

The commitment was made at a March 23 meeting between Minister of Health Mam Bunheng and UNICEF Representative to Cambodia William Parks. The meeting was held to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and achieve the SDGs.

A Health ministry press release quoted Bunheng as saying that UNICEF was the first UN agency to return to Cambodia after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979.

“The Minister thanked UNICEF for its support for the health sector, both technically and financially, as well in terms of human resource development, through the Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Project, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic,” the press release read.

The Minister also thanked UNICEF for its continued support and close cooperation with the ministry.

“This support and cooperation has enabled Cambodia to achieve the Millennium Development Goals ahead of schedule, along with other health indicators,” he said.

“Parks complimented the ministry and the Cambodian government for their successful efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19,” said the release.

“He also thanked the ministry for its close cooperation with UNICEF, enabling the UN agency to carry out its mission successfully. He requested the support of the health minister for plans to achieve the planned SDGs on the health of children and women,” it added.

The Minister lent his full support to UNICEF’s commitment to achieving the SDGs and requested that UNICEF continue to cooperation with all relevant institutions.