Douglas Broderick, United Nations Resident Coordinator
Chaktomuk Theatre, Phnom Penh, 10 December 2008

Good evening Excellencies, honourable guests, ladies and gentlemen.

It is my great privilege to welcome you here tonight to join in this wonderful celebration of Cambodian Culture.

We acknowledge the tremendous efforts of so many in putting together this momentous celebration.

Speech by United Nations Resident Coordinator Douglas Broderick
National Assembly, Phnom Penh, 9 December 2008

"Widening gap between rich and poor among greatest human rights challenges facing Cambodia today"

Good afternoon Excellencies, honourable guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is my great privilege to address this high-level group today, as you begin this important forum on human rights in Cambodia. As you know, today marks the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, it was the first international agreement to formally outline the rights, freedoms and entitlements of all individuals. Its 30 articles spell out the basic civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights that all human beings should be entitled to.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
New York, 5 December 2008

This International Volunteer Day comes near the end of a difficult year marked by rising food and fuel prices, accelerating climate change and turmoil in world financial markets.

Delivered by Douglas Broderick, UN Resident Coordinator
on behalf of Development Partners, at the Cambodia Development Cooperation Forum
Session IV: Social Safety Nets, Background Paper
Phnom Penh, 4 December 2008

As Development Partners of the Royal Government of Cambodia, and in 2008 the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we see social safety nets as an important Government and Development Partner priority for continuing and sustaining social, cultural and economic growth and attainment of Cambodia’s Millennium Development Goals.

Social safety nets are not a new area of priority within the policy framework of the Royal Government of Cambodia. The National Strategic Development Plan 2006-2010 (NSDP) highlights policy objectives to establish social safety nets that reduce the vulnerability of the poor and mitigate the impact of economic and natural shocks. The Rectangular Strategy Phase II acknowledges that “the social safety net for workers and the poor has not yet become an efficient system” and includes priorities for the development of social safety nets. There is a very real understanding that taking steps to put in place policy that supports the establishment of social safety nets underpins Cambodia’s future and sustained growth.