Phnom Penh, 29 August 2025: Sixty-five government officials and representatives from international organisations gathered for a 1-day brainstorming workshop to address the urgent challenge of reintegrating Cambodian returnees from Thailand.

Since the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand erupted in May 2025, more than 900,000 Cambodians have returned from Thailand, while a further 200,000 have been relocated from border areas to safer locations. This large-scale migration, occurring in such a short period, has created pressing social and economic challenges and underscored the need for comprehensive reintegration strategies.

To support the Cambodian Government in this effort, ERIA and the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) are designing a rapid programme of short- and medium-term interventions. The workshop provided a platform to gather essential data on the work experience and background of returnees, existing instruments that support employment generation, and available labour market opportunities. It also stressed the importance of aligning any proposed strategies with ongoing government initiatives to ensure feasibility and sustainability.

The workshop opened with Welcome Remarks from Mr Jeremy Gross, ERIA’s Director of Mekong Affairs and Capacity Building, and Dr Eng Netra, CDRI’s Executive Director. On behalf of the Government of Cambodia, H.E. Sovann Vannaroth, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, delivered Opening Remarks. Dr Han Phoumin, ERIA Senior Energy Economist and programme lead, then outlined the framework for the intervention programme.

Dr Dina Chhorn of CDRI moderated the subsequent discussions, which allowed ministries to share relevant data, strategic plans, and current initiatives. Participants then engaged in breakout groups focusing on social protection, labour and employment, economic reintegration, infrastructure and services, and data and monitoring.

The outcomes of the brainstorming workshop will inform a strategies document that ERIA and CDRI aim to deliver within a month, providing practical pathways to support the reintegration of returnees into Cambodia’s economy and society.