The establishment of the Asean-Japan Smart City Network and of a Private-Public Forum on Asean-Japan urbanisation development in Cambodia may soon be a reality after the government approved the initiatives in principle, according to a Council of Ministers letter.

The letter, sent to the Ministry of Land Management Urban Planning and Construction, was signed on March 1 and released on Monday.

The three largest urban areas of Cambodia – Phnom Penh, Siem Reap town and Battambang town – are set to be incorporated into the Asean Smart City Network. The network aims to increase regional connectivity and is present in 26 cities across the Asean region.

The term ‘Smart City’ refers to a city’s development with smart and sustainable technology to tackle the effects of rapid urbanisation – such as traffic jams, water and air quality, peace and security.

Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Chea Sophara, present at the Private-Public Forum on ‘Cambodia-Japan Urbanisation Development’ in late February, voiced support for the two Japanese government initiatives.

“The ministry will look forward to cooperation, coordinating and providing all services within its capacity and encouraging Japanese business people and businesses to come and invest or partner with Cambodian companies,” he said.