PHNOM PENH: On February 1, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications announced that the Cambodian government’s document verification platform, VERIFY.GOV.KH, won a gold medal at the 2024 ASEAN Digital Awards. The 4th ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (ADGMIN) in Singapore was attended by Digital Ministers from ASEAN Member States; Timor-Leste; ASEAN partners including, the South Korea, China, Japan, India, and the United States; as well as the International Telecommunications Union.

According to the Cambodian Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Chea Vandeth, the award is a historical win for Cambodia in digital age. “This is the first time a Cambodian solution has received the Gold Medal in the Public Sector category of the ASEAN Digital Awards,” he said. “This success demonstrates more clearly that VERIFY.GOV.KH’s scope should be expanded not only within Cambodia, but also in the region…rendering paper originals and notarization of copies no longer necessary. Such collective action will bring ASEAN Member States another step closer to our collective aspiration of unleashing the potential of digital technologies, and MPTC is committed to contribute to this collective journey.”

The ASEAN Digital Awards has six categories: Public Sector, Private Sector, Digital Inclusivity, Digital Content, Digital Start-Up, and Digital Innovation. After the final presentation against other finalists, VERIFY.GOV.KH wins the Gold Medal in the Public Sector Category, officially being recognized as the most distinguished digital solution for delivering public services in ASEAN for 2024. Thailand’s digital health data system won silver in the category and Singapore’s Digital Birth and Death Certificate initiative won bronze.