PHNOM PENH: Secretary of State for the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation and Secretary-General of the Disability Action Council, Em Chan Makara, said that Cambodia is proud to present its efforts to support persons with disabilities at the upcoming ASEAN forum in Indonesia.

Speaking at a press conference on October 8 at Phnom Penh International Airport, he said that Cambodia has many achievements to present to other countries in the ASEAN region and will be able to share many experiences with them as well. He then got on a flight to the high-level ASEAN forum on “Disability-Inclusive Development and Partnership beyond 2025” in Makassar, Indonesia. He will also speak on behalf of Social Affairs Minister Chea Somethy in the ASEAN-US dialogue regarding disability development.

"In this meeting, we will be proud to bring many of our Cambodian achievements to the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Affairs," he said.

The Secretary of State stated that under the leadership of the former Prime Minister Hun Sen and the current Prime Minister Hun Manet, many achievements in the protection of persons with disabilities have been achieved, especially in the provision of infrastructure to support persons with disabilities. He also noted state funding for impoverished persons with disabilities and laws that promote their equal access rights.

The ASEAN forum and dialogues run from October 10-12 and will be attended by ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and Chair of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (AMMSWD), Nancy Sukhri, a US Government representative, and Ministers of Social Affairs from all 11 ASEAN countries.

The forum will provide ASEAN countries the opportunity to present their country’s efforts in developing and improving the status of persons with disabilities, so that they can participate in and benefit from society without discrimination.