PHNOM PENH: The Outgoing United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cambodia, Pauline Tamesis, has praised the leadership of the Royal Government of Cambodia, as well as Cambodia’s contribution to the world. She has said that she considers Cambodia to be a role model for other countries to follow. These remarks were made during a meeting between the Outgoing UN Resident Coordinator and Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday morning (7 April).

The Outgoing UN Resident Coordinator paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Hun Sen on the occasion of her mission in Cambodia coming to an end. During the meeting, she said that Cambodia is a good partner of the United Nations, which has contributed to world peace, stability and effective leadership in the fight against Covid-19, which are all successes that can be seen as models for other countries to follow, and valuable experiences that can be used and shared in the future.

The Prime Minister's personal assistant, Eang Sophalleth, told reporters after the meeting, that the Outgoing UN Resident Coordinator “informed Prime Minister Hun Sen that the UN system is committed to continuing their support to Cambodia through potential sectors. Firstly, investing in human resources, secondly, promoting the use of digital systems, and thirdly, on addressing climate change and establishing a green economy."

In response, Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed with the UN Resident Coordinator and thanked her for her contribution to the socio-economic development of Cambodia, especially in the fight against Covid-19. He also cited the UN’s support system for Cambodia when receiving the Westerdam cruise ship, which rescued thousands of stranded people during the early height of the pandemic.

Eang Sophalleth further told reporters that, “the Prime Minister informed Ms. Pauline Tamesis and her delegation about the Blossom strategy used to fight Covid-19, with continued attention paid to social protection and the health sector.”

The Prime Minister also thanked the Outgoing UN Resident for her time in Cambodia, and wished her success in her next mission.

Pauline Tamesis was appointed as the UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia on 12 March 2018. Prior to coming to Cambodia, Tamesis spent two years in Thailand, where she worked as the Country Director of the UNDP Bangkok Regional Center.

During her four-year mission in Cambodia, Tamesis was involved in key work related to employment and vocational training in, including providing decent work to Cambodians, TVET skills development for youth, labor migration, the garment sector, and social security.