The United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) new country representative, Sandra Bernklau during a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn on August 31. FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY
The United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) new country representative, Sandra Bernklau, said she was impressed by the socio-economic development of Cambodia as well as the government’s commitment toward achieving its “Three Zeros by 2030” policy.
The three zeros include zero violence or harmful practices against women and girls; zero unmet needs for contraception and zero preventable maternal deaths.
Bernklau expressed her impressions during a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn on August 31, according to the foreign affairs ministry’s press statement.
The ministry said Bernklau also said she appreciated the government’s guidance and initiatives, particularly the establishment of the Special Committee for Accelerating the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action.
“She said that she hoped her presence and experience would strengthen the partnership and cooperation between Cambodia and UNFPA,” the ministry’s statement said.
During the meeting, the UN agency head and the foreign minister committed to further promote their existing close cooperation.
Sokhonn highlighted the importance of the UNFPA’s programmes in Cambodia. He said those programmes have contributed greatly to achieving Cambodia’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Sokhonn also thanked UNFPA Cambodia for their efforts on family planning, sexual education and reduction of violence against women as well as helping vulnerable women and young girls.
The minister expressed gratitude on behalf of the Cambodian government and all Cambodians for all of the support and assistance provided by UNFPA Cambodia that has contributed to reducing the maternal mortality ratio by almost two-thirds, which is one of the biggest reductions ever recorded and was achieved by only nine countries around the world, including Cambodia.
“[Sokhonn] and [Bernklau] expressed their satisfaction with the excellent high level cooperation between Cambodia and UNFPA and agreed that they shared the same commitment to further enhancing it,” the statement said.
