PHNOM PENH: August 22 marks an important day in Cambodian history as for the first time in 38 years, the country has a new prime minister. This morning, Prime Minister Hun Manet was unanimously approved with a vote of confidence from the 7th National Assembly.

Upon his acceptance, he gave a speech outlining six priorities that will be implemented under his administration, including healthcare, social assistance programs and vocational training for the poor. Prime Minister Hun Manet promised to lead the executive party according to the mandate given to the Cambodian People’s Party in last month’s national election.

The CPP’s campaign policies were submitted as the PM Hun Manet’s Political Platform for his administration. The six policies include: expanding health coverage, vocational and technical training for impoverished and vulnerable youth, establishing social assistance programs, transitioning Cambodia’s informal economy into a formal one, boosting the agricultural economy, and forming farmers’ associations in rural areas.

On behalf of the Royal Government, he appealed to the National Assembly to unite with all Cambodians at home and abroad, along with officials, authorities, private businesses and NGOs to help implement mandated policies so that they may be a strong collective movement.

In this spirit, the new prime minister announced his plans to implement the first phase of the Pentagon Strategy, which was devised between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Asian Development Bank earlier this year to help Cambodia reach its goal of achieving high-middle-income status by 2030 and high-income status by 2050.