KAMPOT, Cambodia, 23 July 2026 — Government officials, development partners, project implementers and community representatives concluded the four-day LASED III Annual Reflection and Field Learning Workshop on Thursday after reviewing project achievements, sharing implementation experiences and discussing priorities for Cambodia's future rural development, including preparations for a proposed fourth phase of the Land Allocation for Social and Economic Development Project (LASED IV).

Held from 20 to 23 July in Kampot Province, the workshop also disseminated the achievements and lessons learned from the Cambodia Sustainable Livelihood Improvement for Indigenous Communities Project (CSLICP) while examining national and global developments that could affect rural livelihoods and project implementation.

During the first two days, the workshop brought together the LASED III project teams of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction (MLMUPC) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) at both national and provincial levels from all 12 target provinces. Participants also included deputy provincial governors from the target provinces, representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the World Bank project team.

The workshop was officially opened by H.E. So Khan Rithykun, Secretary of State of MLMUPC and Chair of LASED III Steering Committee. In his opening remarks, H.E Rithykun commended the joint efforts of project staff, implementing partners and stakeholders in advancing the project development objectives.

"The collective efforts of all of us have produced highly satisfactory results. Overall, I would like to express my deep appreciation for how far we have come. Our achievements have been recognized, acknowledged and encouraged by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction H.E. Say Samal," H.E. So Khan Rithykun said.

The first two days focused on strengthening participants' soft skills through sessions on self-care, workplace culture, communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence and collaborative problem-solving to improve teamwork, leadership and collaboration among the project teams. Participants also took part in interactive learning activities designed to reinforce project knowledge and strengthen organizational culture.

On the morning of the third day, the workshop welcomed additional participants, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction H.E. Say Samal; senior officials of the Senate; representatives of the European Union; the Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore; senior officials from government agencies, development partners and research institutions; representatives of the Cambodia Banking Association, educational institutions and the private sector; and chiefs of coastal community fisheries, bringing the total number of participants to 297.

Addressing the workshop, H.E. Say Samal shared Cambodia's long-term development vision toward 2050, emphasizing the importance of building strong rural economies supported by better roads, clean water, electricity, internet connectivity, quality education, healthcare services and attractive village environments. He said the vision also includes expanding commercial agriculture and livestock production, increasing household incomes and reducing rural migration through coordinated efforts among government institutions and development partners.

The Deputy Prime Minister also encouraged the LASED III project team to begin exploring the possibility of preparing a LASED IV project to build on the achievements of previous phases and continue supporting sustainable rural development.

Chiefs of the Trapeang Sangkae, Kampong Samaki, Ou Krasa, Preaek Tnoat and Trapeang Ropov Community Fisheries shared through their presentations progress in fisheries resource management, community-based ecotourism and livelihood improvement while outlining implementation challenges and future support needs.

Participants also received updates on infrastructure development supporting coastal communities, including the Angkaol Fishery Community Access Infrastructure Development Project in Kep Province, which aims to strengthen community tourism, fisheries livelihoods and climate resilience. Additional presentations covered land management, construction economics and opportunities for social housing development in Cambodia.

The workshop also featured the dissemination of achievements under the Cambodia Sustainable Livelihood Improvement for Indigenous Communities Project (CSLICP) through presentations, a project video and beneficiary testimonies highlighting improvements in agricultural productivity, household income diversification, vocational skills training, market access, farmer capacity building, home garden development and small-scale irrigation systems.

On the afternoon of the third day, H.E. Say Samal led a field visit to Trapeang Sangkae, Trapeang Ropov and Preaek Tnoat Community Fisheries. The delegation included representatives of the European Union, the Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore, the World Bank team and senior government officials from line ministries. The visit enabled development partners and government officials to observe project achievements firsthand and gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing coastal communities.

On the final day, H.E. Say Samal delivered a high-level address on the geopolitical landscape and its implications for Cambodia's development. 

In his address, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the broader significance of the project, stating:

"LASED III is a project that contributes to addressing many of the challenges facing Cambodia's national social development."

Participants also received a presentation from a Senior Economist of the World Bank Group on Cambodia's macroeconomic outlook and the cumulative impacts of climate change, trade disruptions and global economic uncertainty on rural and agricultural communities. Discussions also reviewed the achievements of LASED I, II and III in improving rural infrastructure and reducing poverty while outlining priorities for the proposed LASED IV project.

In his closing remarks, H.E. So Khan Rithykun said the workshop had reaffirmed the project's positive impact on rural communities. "LASED III has truly contributed to reducing poverty," he said.

He encouraged project teams and partners to continue working together to build on the achievements of LASED III and ensure that the lessons learned from the workshop contribute to more effective implementation and the successful preparation of future rural development initiatives.

(Story and Photos by Leak Ratna, Communications Specialist, LASED III)