In three years’ time, Cambodia will have legislation clearly outlining what government information is available to the general public, according to a recently signed memorandum of understanding.

Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith and Anne Lemaistre, UNESCO’s representative to Cambodia, signed the memorandum on Friday. The MoU says that a $1 million package will fund the three-year process.

“We have never had this law, therefore it is necessary to have a clear explanation from international experts, and UNESCO will help to organise,” Kanharith told reporters at the Ministry of Information.

Sek Borisoth, technical adviser at the NGO Advocacy and Policy Institute, said yesterday that he hoped the law ensured access to as much information as possible. He saw the three-year time frame as positive.

“The most important aspect is the quality of the law,” Borisoth said. “I think that the government is spending a long time on this, because it will be a controversial discussion within the government.”