Phnom Penh, April 1, 2024 – In a significant step towards enhancing governance and public policy skills, 39 Cambodian officers are currently participating in the 4th Training Programme on Public Policy and Governance. This two-week initiative, held at the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) in India, began on March 26 and will run until April 6, spanning sessions in Mussoorie and New Delhi.

This capacity-building endeavour, a collaboration between the NCGG and the Ministry of External Affairs of India (MEA), draws participants from the Ministry of Inspection and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports in Cambodia. The program aims to offer a comprehensive cross-country learning experience, fostering policy dialogue and the exchange of best practices in governance and public administration.

During the program's opening, Shri V. Srinivas, Director General of NCGG and Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reform and Public Grievances (DARPG), highlighted the long-standing ties between India and Cambodia. He detailed India’s governance transformation, emphasizing the role of digital technology in improving policy formulation, service delivery, and institutional efficiency. Srinivas also stressed the importance of digitalization in enhancing transparency, accountability, and overall governance quality.

Significant attention was given to India's Public Grievance Redressal Mechanism, Pensions Welfare under DARPG, the NESDA, and the Khelo India Programme. He encouraged the Cambodian officers to actively engage in group activities and present on various policy initiatives.

Dr. BS Bisht, Associate Professor and Course Coordinator at NCGG, provided insights into the centre's achievements and outlined the training's broad curriculum. Topics include governance paradigms, economic growth, smart cities, sustainable development goals, digital governance, and anti-corruption strategies, among others.

Participants will also have the opportunity to visit key institutions and cultural sites in India, such as a Smart School in Dehradun, the Forest Research Institute, and the Taj Mahal, to gain firsthand knowledge of India’s administrative practices and cultural heritage.

The partnership between MEA and NCGG has facilitated training for civil servants from 17 countries, reinforcing India's "Neighbourhood First" policy aimed at bolstering regional cooperation. To date, 156 Cambodian civil servants have benefited from these programs, demonstrating NCGG’s commitment to promoting excellence in governance and public service.