The signing ceremony, attended by Min Manavy, secretary of state for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and secretary-general of the NRSC, took place on August 21 at Cambodia’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport. PUBLIC WORKS MINISTRY
The National Road Safety Committee (NRSC) of Cambodia and the Transportation Research and Information Technology Integration Centre of Korea’s National University of Transportation have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering traffic safety and improving facility security around Cambodian schools.
The signing ceremony, attended by Min Manavy, secretary of state for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and secretary-general of the NRSC, took place on August 21 at Cambodia’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
The MoU facilitates collaborative efforts between the Korean and Cambodian sides to lay the groundwork for project documents and proposals. These initiatives seek to enhance traffic safety and security within school zones in Cambodia. The intention is to secure support and aid from the Korean government.
The forthcoming project will focus on educating children in road safety, heightening awareness among Cambodians, and establishing traffic safety education hubs, safe school zones, and volunteer groups dedicated to road traffic safety.
The Ministry of Public Works expressed optimism that this partnership could reduce road accidents involving Cambodian children.
Kim Pagna, country director of the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP), expressed gratitude for Korea’s commitment to enhancing Cambodian traffic safety.
Pagna highlighted Korea’s significant past contributions and stated that the MoU serves as a formal step to gather the necessary documents for project proposals and funding to improve these issues in Cambodia.
He emphasised that collaborations typically involve signing MoUs with governments to identify genuine needs and garner support for projects that align with targets and objectives.
Pagna also voiced hope for a swift realisation of the project due to its necessity. He noted its potential to have a lasting positive impact on child safety, fostering responsible behavior and increasing road awareness, ultimately leading to fewer accidents and casualties.
He suggested implementing a 30 km/h speed limit in school zones across Cambodia and advocated for intensified traffic safety education during study hours. He also called for stricter enforcement of helmet use among children riding motorcycles, as he has observed numerous instances of helmetless riding.
He cited distressing statistics, revealing that around 10 per cent of Cambodian children have fallen victim to road accidents, with 12 to 13 per cent of students also affected, underscoring the magnitude of the issue.
Ros Soveacha, spokesman for the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport, could not be reached for comment as of August 22.
