Phnom Penh: Cambodia is proud to chair the "23rd ASEAN Cooperation and the 8th ASEAN Plus Three on Civil Service" for the 2024-2026 mandate under the theme "Innovation in Providing Better Public Services."
During the inauguration ceremony of the ACCSM in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many, Minister of Public Works, announced the theme, emphasizing the importance of cooperation, innovation, and development in the civil service sector across ASEAN. He stated, “ASEAN Cooperation on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM) represents the essence of collaboration, innovation, and development within the ASEAN civil service. This forum has been pivotal in promoting numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing the professionalism and efficiency of public services.”
Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many further elaborated, “As the rotating chair of the ACCSM, Cambodia is committed to strengthening and expanding cooperation with all ASEAN Member States and partner countries. Our goal is to lead the coordination of foundational work in the ACCSM, ensuring its success and driving a dynamic vision for public service that primarily benefits the people.”
During its chairmanship for the 2024-2026 term, Cambodia will host several significant meetings, including:
1. The Senior Officials Meeting on Public Works in May 2025 in Sihanoukville.
2. The 23rd ASEAN Cooperation Meeting on Public Functions and the 8th ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Meeting on Public Functions in August 2026 in Siem Reap.
3. Continuation and implementation of various projects.
4. Organizing additional meetings and forums.
Cambodia will also lead and coordinate various activities within the ASEAN public functions framework, such as the preparation of the ASEAN Joint Action Plan 2026-2030.
This chairmanship marks Cambodia's second time hosting such a meeting, the first being 20 years ago during the 2004-2006 term under the theme "Human Resource Management in Public Services as a Strategic Partner for National Development: A New Model for the ASEAN Context." This time, Cambodia is setting new themes that align with the evolving context of Cambodian society and the broader ASEAN community.
Civil Service Cooperation among ASEAN countries began in 1980 as the ASEAN Conference on Civil Service Reform (ACRCS). The ASEAN Conference on Civil Service (ACCSM) was established in 1981, and it incorporated the 10 ASEAN Member States in 1999. On November 17, 2015, the "ASEAN Conference on Civil Service" was renamed the "ASEAN Cooperation Meeting on Civil Service" to reflect the sustainable cooperation among ASEAN Member States.
