Foreign minister Prak Sokhonn (right) and secretary of state Ouch Borith stand up for the national anthem at the digital workshop for diplomats on February 28. MFAIC
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn urged Cambodian diplomats to strengthen their digital skills and become “audacious fighters” to meet the needs of current and future diplomatic work to enhance the Kingdom’s prestige on the international stage.
He said that digital diplomacy is an important means of implementing Cambodia’s foreign policy. Digital diplomacy is often carried out using new technologies, websites and social media as tools to publicize the activities of the government and fight against disinformation.
Sokhonn was speaking at a seminar on “Digital Capacity Building for Cambodian Diplomats”, held in Phnom Penh on February 28.
Sokhonn said that Cambodian representative offices abroad have had their own websites and social media accounts to share information, activities and communication with the public.
“Therefore, the strengthening of digital skills will contribute to expanding the scope of the representative offices’ efforts to make the public aware of and enhance national prestige on the international stage,” he said.
He added that in the digital age, the mastery of digital technology is important to strengthen the efficiency of economic diplomacy and the work of contributing to strengthening the mainstays of the Kingdom’s economy, while reducing dependence on foreign aid and promoting Cambodia’s interests in the region and globally.
Sokhonn added that the organization of the digital skills seminar was very necessary and important for helping diplomats to strengthen their knowledge and become a digital human resource for diplomatic work, especially to increase their skills in using social media to serve national interests safely and in a highly professional manner.
“I urge all our diplomats to ask the digital experts at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications to answer all of their questions to strengthen the professional capacity of Cambodian diplomats so they become sharp fighters online and to address the needs for diplomatic work now and in the future,” he said.
In 2020, the foreign affairs ministry launched the “Economic Diplomacy Strategy 2021-2023” to promote international trade, attract foreign direct investment, enhance tourism and boost cultural and sporting exchanges.
In 2022, Prime Minister Hun Sen launched the Digital Government of Cambodia 2022-2035 initiative, with a vision to build a digital government to improve the quality of life and boost public confidence through better public services.
The policy aims to develop a digital government infrastructure, build digital governance and digital public services, build digital capacity and innovation, and enhance cooperation and public-private partnerships that will help meet other challenges.
