PHNOM PENH: Cambodia sent four young people with disabilities to participate in the Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities 2023 in the United Arab Emirates from October 23-29.

With the competition steadily growing since the 1990’s, this year will see about 1,700 individuals competing from 18 countries both online and in-person.

Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation and Chairman of the Disability Action Council, Chea Somethy, has championed the disability sector since taking office in late August.

The General Secretariat of Cambodia’s Disability Action Council asked that “the public join in encouraging the disabled youth of the Kingdom of Cambodia to succeed for our motherland."

While four young Cambodians are heading to Abu Dhabi, and additional 19 will also be participating in the online competition from October 25-27.

The Cambodian delegation will also participate in the Inclusive and Innovation Forum to discuss and approve the Abu Dhabi Agreement on the future development of digital information technology for people with disabilities.

This year’s competition includes six categories including designing a smart car, solving life problems with the internet, and content creation. Cambodia’s Southeast Asian neighbors are competing in addition to countries as far away as Ethiopia, Mongolia and Pakistan. South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are hosting the event in the United Arab Emirates at the end of this month.