PHNOM PENH, September 17, 2024 — Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, Hem Vanndy, welcomed Cambodia's youth delegation for the 48th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) during a ceremony at the Ministry on September 16, 2024.

SSEAYP, an annual cultural and educational exchange program established in 1974, will this year take the delegates on a 38-day journey starting on November 4, 2024, with visits to Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The program’s goal is to promote regional cooperation, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding among youth from Southeast Asia and Japan.

During the meeting, Minister Vanndy outlined the key responsibilities of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, emphasizing its role in preparing for Cambodia's transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2029.

The Minister congratulated the 15 youth delegates on their selection from a pool of over 500 applicants and stressed the importance of representing Cambodia with humility and pride. "This journey is not a leisure cruise; it is a mission to showcase our nation's values," he stated.

Minister Vanndy encouraged the delegates to embody humility, demonstrate mutual respect, and reflect Cambodia's deep-rooted values of hospitality and cultural pride. "Engage openly, learn from others, and love our nation," he advised the youth.

The SSEAYP 2024 program will feature 23 youth delegates from Japan and 16 from each of the 10 ASEAN countries, with Timor-Leste joining as an observer for the first time this year.