PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen has shared remarks on why Cambodia, a country rich in natural resources and a favorable climate, is still one of the poorest countries in the world. He particularly highlighted two key issues that have held Cambodia back from shedding its poor status, rooted in past political mistakes and lack of human resources.

While speaking at the graduation ceremony for more than 3,000 graduates of Western University on Thursday morning, 26 January 2023, at the OCIC Hall, Prime Minister Hun Sen recalled the 18 March 1970 coup conducted by General Lon Nol that saw the ousting of Prince Norodom Sihanouk and submerged the country into war.

"This political mistake made the country go backwards. While other countries moved forwards, we went backwards," he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted a lack of human resources in Cambodia which can be traced to the genocide of the Khmer Rouge and long history of war in the country.

"If we have a lot of natural resources, why are we still poor? Political mistakes [are what caused this], and those political mistakes also hindered the human resource development process," he said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said that Cambodia should look at Singapore as an example, as Singapore has no natural resources, not even its own water, but the country has developed into one of the highest income countries in the world.

The three points that allowed Singapore to develop were the good discipline of the people, the peace and stability of the country, and the ability for human resource development, said the Prime Minister.

He added that today, Cambodia maintains stability and peace and is committed to maintaining such stability in the future as well. He urged for the further strengthening of the quality of education in the country to promote better quality human resources.