AKP Phnom Penh, January 28, 2026 -- Cambodia’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications, H.E. Chea Vandeth, met with the newly appointed UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, Mr. Flavio Bonetti, on Wednesday to discuss digital development and escalating regional tensions.

During the introductory meeting held at the ministry’s headquarters, Minister Vandeth welcomed Mr. Bonetti to his new diplomatic mission before pivoting to urgent security matters. The Minister briefed the UNESCO envoy on the military incursions by Thai forces into Cambodian sovereign territory.

H.E. Minister expressed grave concern over the destruction of civilian homes, local infrastructure, and ancient Khmer temples, emphasising that these sites are recognised as World Heritage assets belonging to all of humanity.

In response, Mr. Bonetti expressed gratitude for the warm reception and voiced UNESCO's concern regarding the reported damage to heritage sites and the impact on local communities.

Beyond the border issues, the two officials engaged in high-level talks focused on Cambodia's technological transformation. Key highlights of the discussion included: Strategies for training and upskilling the workforce to meet the demands of the modern economy; Collaborative efforts to enhance the Royal Government’s digital platforms; Technical progress on the "verify.gov.kh" platform and the "DG SuperApp," designed to streamline public services.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to deepening the partnership between the Ministry and UNESCO, particularly in bridging the digital divide and protecting cultural integrity.

By K. Rithy Reak