A two-day regional parliamentary workshop organised by Cambodia’s National Assembly (NA), the secretariat of the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and the Parliamentary Centre of Asia (PCAsia), has concluded in Siem Reap. NA
A two-day regional parliamentary workshop organised by Cambodia’s National Assembly (NA), the secretariat of the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and the Parliamentary Centre of Asia (PCAsia), has concluded in Siem Reap.
The workshop – titled “The Role of Parliaments in Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Responses to Health Emergencies: Case Studies on Effectiveness and Impediments in National Covid-19 Responses" – aimed to exchange ideas and experiences in enhancing the response to health emergencies.
The August 10-11 workshop was presided over by Lork Kheng, chairwoman of the NA’s 8th Commission, and attended by members of the legislature as well as government representatives and provincial authorities.
Representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and PCAsia were also in attendance, as were participants from ASEAN and other regions.
"The workshop is an important opportunity to exchange the ideas and experiences of the legislature, the executive and civil society on the role and participation of all stakeholders, especially the role of parliaments in promoting inclusive and sustainable responses to health emergencies,” Kheng said.
"The regional workshop is also to jointly develop a study on the positive and negative aspects of the methods implemented during the fight against Covid-19, to strengthen all mechanisms more comprehensively for dealing with future pandemics."
She noted that Cambodia – with a “strong, fast-response leadership” – had worked closely with the WHO in a bid to contain the pandemic, with the NA having approved laws on measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and other contagious diseases.
"During that challenging time, the government set up the National Committee to Combat Covid-19 headed by Prime Minister [Hun Sen] himself to control the spread of the virus and provide monthly payments to poor and vulnerable households, as well as public service workers.
"The government has adopted a [Covid-19] vaccination policy to build strong immunity in the community, enabling Cambodia to reopen confidently yet cautiously," Kheng said
She said the attendance of all stakeholders at the workshop showed the strong regional cooperation between parliaments, the Cambodian government and civil society.
PCAsia executive director Kim Yeat Dararith said the workshop, which was held in the spirit of cooperation and partnership, discussed common concerns on epidemic Covid-19 and compared the roles AIPA members played in response to the post-pandemic recovery.
"This workshop showed best practices and success stories, challenges and obstacles, as well as solutions, including transparency and accountability mechanisms and anti-corruption measures.
"It demonstrated how MPs should act as legislative representatives, with additional monitoring to contribute to improve outcomes for all people.
"The consultative workshop demonstrated a shared commitment to protecting public safety and wellbeing in the case of health emergencies, and the principles of good and effective governance through parliamentary action," he said.
WHO representative to Cambodia Li Ailan agreed that the Kingdom's success in controlling the Covid-19 situation was due in large part to the strong leadership of the government and the active participation of the Cambodian people.
"Cambodia is a good example, with 70 per cent of the population having been vaccinated as of September 2021.
"This was eight months ahead of the WHO’s target for vaccination rollout. And as the outbreak knows no boundaries, it serves as a strong reminder of the need for cooperation to prevent its spread," she said.
