PHNOM PENH, April 13, 2024 – Minister Net Pheaktra underscored the Ministry of Information's commitment to fostering children's development through arts during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Children's Music and Song Festival. The event, which took place on the afternoon of May 12, 2024, at Chaktomuk Mongkul Hall, Ministry of Information, saw a significant gathering of participants, including Tuy Serey Ratanak, Honorary President of the Women's Association for Peace and Development at the Ministry.

Minister Pheaktra emphasized the festival's role in offering children a platform to showcase their abilities through music and songs that are both entertaining and educational. He noted that the arts play a crucial role in nurturing good habits and dignity among youth, preparing them to become valuable future contributors to Cambodian society.

The festival aligns with this year’s theme for Cambodia Children's Day, "Investing in Children Today to Increase Human Capital in the Age of Digital Revolution," reflecting the current government’s focus under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet. The festival is seen as part of a broader effort to integrate arts into educational methods, thereby enhancing learning through creative expression.

The Minister praised the long-standing impact of the festival, which has been an annual event since 2012, thanking various philanthropic contributors for their support, including prominent corporations such as CHIP MONG, Canadia Bank, and Metfone, among others. These contributions help sustain the festival alongside government funding, ensuring its continued success and reach.

This year's festival features 34 groups from public and private schools across the nation, totaling about 200 participating children who will compete for accolades that will be awarded at the festival's closing ceremony on May 27, 2024.

Minister Pheaktra expressed his gratitude towards the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and the National Council of Cambodia for Children for their collaborative efforts in organizing the event. He also extended his best wishes to all participating children, encouraging them to excel and enjoy the opportunity to express their talents.