(Phnom Penh): The Embassy of India in Phnom Penh organized an event to celebrate the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day on 15 September 2026 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The event brought together dignitaries, government officials, academics and ITEC alumni, highlighting India’s commitment to enhancing technical cooperation and strengthening ties with Cambodia, showcasing the profound impact of the ITEC initiative. Sok Soken, Minister of Inspection of the Royal Government of Cambodia was the guest of honour at the event.

In his welcoming address, Ambassador Vanlalvawna Bawitlung highlighted the role of ITEC programme and its continued contribution to capacity-building efforts across the global-south, including in Cambodia.

He said that the guiding philosophy of ITEC is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," the belief that the world is one family. Grounded in the principle that development is a shared journey, ITEC fosters bilateral partnerships through mutual learning, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.

Regarding specific ITEC cooperation with Cambodia, Ambassador mentioned some notable programs over the last year, especially related to new and emerging technologies, including the key customized training initiatives for Cambodian civil servants for 2026-27.

Among others these included – training on integrating AI into STEM curricula for 30 officials from the Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports of Cambodia; advanced training in new-age digital technologies for 15 officials from the Ministry of Information of Cambodia; a tailored course on combating online scams and cybercrime for 30 officials from the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia.

In addition, a special course on good governance and public policy was organized for 80 civil servants from Cambodia.

Ambassador also highlighted India’s standing as the fastest-growing major economy in the world with a growth rate of 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2026.

He said the Indian economy’s dynamic growth and the far-reaching reforms introduced in the past 12 years have opened opportunities for collaboration with businesses from Cambodia.

Commenting on the progress made by India the field of space, AI and science and technology, Ambassador said that India had recently become the third country to launch a private orbital rocket successfully.

India also hosted the AI Impact Summit in February, the first in the global south, with a theme People, Planet and Progress.

He said India’s Digital Public Infrastructure continues to promote financial inclusion to hundreds of millions in India, and India’s Unified Payments Interface is gaining wider acceptance in many parts of the world, including in Cambodia.

He said the country is increasing its renewable energy capacity, now ranking third globally, with an installed capacity of over 300 GW and also joined a small group of countries in launching a hydrogen-powered train in June this year, signifying its commitment to sustainable development.

Through the ITEC programme, India offers 12000 fully-funded in-person training opportunities annually through over 300 courses conducted by over 120 premier institutions in various fields, including IT, banking, administration, and audit, among others.

To date, over 225,000 officials from over 160 countries have been trained in civilian and defense sectors under this initiative.

The training programmes cover both civilian and defense personnel with the Government of India covering all expenses related to international airfare, boarding, and lodging for selected candidates.

Since the commencement of ITEC programmes in Cambodia in 1981, around 3000 Cambodian nationals have participated in various training courses under ITEC.

Last year, close to 300 Cambodian officials participated in this programme.

The celebrations held on the occasion of ITEC day in Cambodia, honoured the time-tested contribution of ITEC to strengthening the India-Cambodia bilateral relations.

It was also an occasion to honour the skills, leadership, and shared experiences of ITEC alumni from Cambodia and their contributions to the social and economic development of the country.

The programme included performances by students of the Yoga and Dance Centre of the Indian Embassy showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage.
=FRESH NEWS