Makassar, Indonesia – In a significant diplomatic meeting held on Wednesday morning, October 11, 2023, H.E. Em Chan Makara, Secretary of State and Secretary-General of the Disability Action Council, representing H.E. Chea Somethy, Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, convened with Her Excellency Sara Minkara, U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights of President Joe Biden. The rendezvous took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Makassar, Indonesia.
H.E. Em Chan Makara emphasized the crucial role of the United States’ assistance in supporting the disability sector in ASEAN, and he proposed additional support to ASEAN member countries.
During their bilateral discussions, H.E. Em Chan Makara conveyed that the disability sector in Cambodia has a productive collaboration with the United States Government through the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, as well as with the United States Agency for International Development.
The Cambodian Secretary of State for the Ministry of Social Affairs, H.E. Em Chan Makara, also highlighted the unwavering commitment of former Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Hun Sen, and the current Prime Minister, Samdech Hun Manet, to the disability sector. Both leaders serve as Honorary Chairmen of the Disability Action Council.
Furthermore, H.E. Em Chan Makara delineated the ongoing development in Cambodia, stating that the country, in its status as a developing nation, is actively working to establish accessible infrastructure to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities. This encompasses creating pedestrian-friendly environments, particularly sidewalks designed for the visually impaired. Ministries, public institutions, and private establishments such as hotels, guesthouses, resorts, and entertainment venues are diligently working on accessible facilities, including escalators, parking lots, restrooms, and more for persons with disabilities.
Currently, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Disability Action Council are jointly preparing a new draft law aimed at fortifying the disability sector in Cambodia. H.E. Em Chan Makara implored the United States to offer technical assistance in readiness for the implementation of this forthcoming legislation.
Moreover, he requested the United States Government to provide capacity-building initiatives focused on disability-related aspects for legal professionals, specifically lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and judicial police officers. H.E. Secretary of State Em Chan Makara further urged the United States to extend technical assistance to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, as well as to the Disability Action Council, in the execution of the National Disability Strategic Plan and the realization of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Cambodia.
H.E. Em Chan Makara also urged H.E. Sara Minkara to explore the potential for offering assistance in establishing accessible environments for people with disabilities in Cambodia through the initiation of a pilot project in any province, potentially serving as models for broader implementation.
In response, H.E. Sara Minkara, the U.S. Special Adviser, expressed her keen interest and welcomed the formal request from the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation of Cambodia. She expressed a desire to work on these important initiatives with the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia and even expressed her intention to visit Cambodia.
“Cambodia is our primary partner,” she underscored. “We are dedicated to advancing the cause of disability not just within ASEAN but also through bilateral collaboration with Cambodia. I believe that this is a significant undertaking.”
Concluding the bilateral discussions, H.E. Em Chan Makara expressed optimism about the potential for stronger cooperation between Cambodia and the United States, particularly for the betterment of persons with disabilities.
