CAC News

KAMPONG THOM — The Civil Society Alliance Forum (CSAF) of the Office of the Council of Ministers has called on civil society organizations in Kampong Thom province to strengthen their digital capabilities and work with the Royal Government to combat fake news and misinformation in local communities.

The call was made during a dialogue forum on “Strengthening the Capacity of Civil Society Organizations in the Digital Era,” held on the morning of September 14, 2026, in Stung Sen City, Kampong Thom province.

The forum was organized by CSAF in collaboration with the Kampong Thom Provincial Administration and was presided over by H.E. Pai Sambor, Secretary-General of the CSAF General Secretariat, with the participation of civil society organizations and local authorities.

The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) was also invited to participate as a collaborative partner and member of CSAF.

Government, Civil Society Cooperation in Digital Era

Speaking at the opening of the forum, H.E. Pai Sambor praised the close cooperation between local authorities and civil society organizations in Kampong Thom, saying their joint efforts have contributed to continued socio-economic development at the grassroots level.

He emphasized that the Royal Government considers civil society organizations important partners in national development across various sectors and encouraged organizations in Kampong Thom to continue working with the government to build a digital civil society.

He also called for greater efforts to raise awareness and combat fake news and misinformation within local communities, particularly as digital platforms become increasingly important sources of information.

H.E. Pai Sambor stressed that civil society organizations have an important role to play in helping communities adapt to the opportunities and challenges created by rapid digital transformation.

Kampong Thom Calls for Stronger Civic Participation

Mr. Oung Vutthy, Deputy Governor of Kampong Thom Province, described the dialogue as an important platform for stakeholders to connect, exchange views and discuss challenges facing civil society organizations in the province.

He highlighted the importance of strengthening civic space and encouraging civil society organizations to contribute to areas including the rule of law, democracy, social development and grassroots development.

He also encouraged civil society organizations to maintain strong partnerships with the Royal Government and increase their participation in improving livelihoods and the well-being of citizens.

Digital Literacy and Technology Security

A key session of the forum focused on “Understanding Digital Literacy and Technology Security for Civil Society Organizations.”

The presentation was delivered by Mr. Leng Bunny, a speaker from the Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT).

The session aimed to increase awareness among civil society organizations of digital transformation, digital literacy and technology security while supporting a broader understanding of Cambodia's Digital Economy and Society Policy 2021–2035.

Participants discussed the growing importance of using digital technologies responsibly and securely, particularly as civil society organizations increasingly rely on online platforms to communicate with communities and share information.

Representatives of participating organizations also openly raised challenges and concerns facing their work at the grassroots level. The discussions provided an opportunity for participants to seek practical solutions and explore ways to strengthen cooperation for more effective community development.

CAC Discusses RCN Cooperation with Chinese Partners

On the sidelines of the forum, Mr. Silot Uon, President of the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia, held a meeting with H.E. Pai Sambor to discuss opportunities related to Cambodia's cashew sector.

The discussion included efforts to connect raw cashew nut (RCN) procurement opportunities with Chinese business partners, following recent CAC engagement with potential Chinese companies interested in Cambodia's cashew industry.

The meeting also highlighted the potential role of cooperation and networking through civil society platforms in supporting Cambodia's agricultural value chains and connecting local producers with international business partners.

For CAC, the engagement comes as Cambodia seeks to expand domestic cashew processing, strengthen RCN supply networks and develop stronger links with international markets.