Phnom Penh, 25–26 April 2024: During his visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, ERIA’s President Tetsuya Watanabe engaged in a series of high-level meetings to strengthen collaboration on critical regional issues. Accompanying his official visit to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Bank of Cambodia on cooperation to develop green digital finance, President Watanabe paid courtesy calls on ministers and key stakeholders in Cambodia.

These meetings included discussions with H.E. Dr Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Sport, and Youth (MoEYS); H.E. Dr Sok Siphana, Senior Minister in charge of Multilateral Trade and Economic Affairs; and H.E. Ros Seilava, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy. The discussions centred on ERIA's recent activities and research focus, such as the digital economy, energy transition, and the newly initiated ERIA School of Government.

Building on a successful collaboration with MoEYS through the ASEAN Social and Cultural Community pillar during the Cambodian ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022, both parties expressed commitment to continued collaboration, particularly in nurturing young talent for the digital age and sustainable development agenda.

In a meeting with H.E. Dr Sok Siphana, both parties explored mutual interests in climate change and digital economy-related issues, discussing how ERIA could contribute to Cambodia's development agenda. Discussions with H.E. Ros Seilava, who serves as ERIA's Governing Board member from Cambodia, focused on restarting active engagement between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and ERIA. Potential areas of cooperation identified included industrial policy, energy transition, tourism, and capacity-building initiatives.

President Watanabe concluded his visit with a productive meeting at the Cambodia Development Research Institute (CDRI) headquarters. He and the Executive Director Dr Eng Netra, explored a wide range of development challenges facing Cambodia and the region, identifying potential areas for future collaboration between ERIA and CDRI.