Cambodian PM Urges ASEAN To Build People-centred, AI-ready Public Services
By Vijian Paramasivam
PHNOM PENH, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on ASEAN to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation to deliver better public services, improve people’s lives and narrow development gaps across the region.
Speaking on the need for an inclusive approach to innovation, Hun Manet said ASEAN’s digital transformation must go beyond adopting new technologies and focus on addressing citizens’ real needs.
“Innovation must rest upon the foundation of institutional capacity and human resources.
“Recognising ASEAN's diverse development levels, our goal is to narrow the gap and ensure each country adopts new technologies, particularly AI, at a sustainable pace,” Hun Manet said, according to a statement posted on the prime minister’s spokesperson’s Facebook page on Wednesday.
Hun Manet was speaking at the 23rd ASEAN Cooperation on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM) and the 8th ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation on Civil Service Matters (ACCSM+3), held in Siem Reap from Aug 3 to 5 under the theme "Innovation for Better Service Delivery".
His remarks come as ASEAN governments accelerate the adoption of AI and digital technologies to modernise public administration, improve service delivery, and enhance government efficiency.
The prime minister also called for innovation to strengthen ASEAN’s collective resilience, as the region faces multiple challenges — including climate-related disasters, imbalanced economic development and poverty issues — that cannot be addressed by individual countries alone.
“Innovation should extend beyond internal efficiency to include knowledge sharing, mutual support and collaborative adaptation.
“In this effort, ACCSM must remain a vital platform for mutual learning, empowering member states to collaborate, harmonise policies and build shared capacity for common challenges,” said Hun Manet.
-- BERNAMA
