New Delhi: The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) successfully concluded its 6th Training Programme on Public Policy and Governance for Cambodian civil servants in a valedictory ceremony held in New Delhi on Friday. The two-week program, which took place from September 23 to October 4, 2024, was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and saw the participation of 39 senior and mid-level officers from Cambodia. The officials, representing the Ministry of Economy & Finance and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovations, held key positions such as Joint Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Director, and Under Secretary.
The valedictory session was chaired by V. Srinivas, Director General of NCGG and Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). In his address, Srinivas emphasized the enduring collaboration between India and Cambodia, noting that both nations face similar challenges and share a vision for development, especially in areas like science and technology and infrastructure growth. He highlighted India’s transformative initiatives, such as Aadhaar, which have revolutionized subsidy transfers and promoted inclusive governance. He urged the Cambodian civil servants to replicate best practices learned during the programme, especially in digital transformation and infrastructure development, and pointed to platforms like PM Gati Shakti as an example of bilateral cooperation.
During the valedictory ceremony, three insightful presentations were given by the Cambodian participants on the topics of “Review of National Science Policy for Cambodia,” “Rationalizing Expenditure Plan for Infrastructure and Growth,” and “Governance Reforms in Cambodia and Digital Transformation.” These presentations showcased the knowledge and skills acquired during the program and their potential application in Cambodia.
Ith Hunly, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Science and Technology Innovations and Head of the Cambodian delegation, expressed his gratitude to the Indian government for organizing such a comprehensive and enriching program. He underscored the historical and cultural ties between India and Cambodia and highlighted the relevance of the training for enhancing good governance in his home country. He urged for the continuation of such programs for more civil servants, praising the experience as invaluable.
The programme, which combined academic sessions with exposure visits, was coordinated by Dr. B. S. Bisht, Associate Professor at NCGG, along with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, Brijesh Bisht, and Monisha Bahuguna, who were instrumental in the program’s success.
NCGG’s global outreach has been expanding, with civil servants from 33 countries, including Bangladesh, Maldives, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka, benefiting from its capacity-building programs. This year, NCGG welcomed several delegations and launched new programs for the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and Latin American nations. Plans are also underway for specialized programs targeting BIMSTEC and ASEAN countries.