Phnom Penh, December 04, 2019 –The 39th General Assembly of the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF) was officially opened here this morning under the presidency of H.E. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister, High Representative of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.
H.E. Hor Namhong, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, expressed his warm welcome to all delegates attending the event and briefed them on the current situation of Cambodia as well as the urban development plan of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
This event will deepen and boost cooperation among the AIMF members, he underlined.
Some 400 delegates from 140 cities in 41 countries are attending the 39th AIMF General Assembly taking place under theme “Resilient Cities: Rethinking the Challenges of Urban Reconstruction”.
AIMF, chaired by the Mayor of Paris, was founded in 1979. It is the worldwide network of French-speaking local elected officials and their associations, united by the values they share. Its executive office represents the diversity of its members. They are bound by very strong individual links, which favour the continuity of exchanges and the circulation of ideas at the highest level.
Many discussions on a wide range of topics related to urban reconstruction and development have been organised a few days prior to the official opening ceremony.
Yesterday, H.E. Khuong Sreng, Governor of Phnom Penh Municipality, highlighted the process of rebuilding and development of Phnom Penh capital city.
In the past 40 years, he pointed out, Phnom Penh development has undergone five major steps. First, from 1979 to 1993, Phnom Penh management was for peace, repatriation and against the return of the genocidal regime of Khmer Rouge. Second, from 1993 to 2000, Phnom Penh management focused on the practical role of maintaining political stability and rehabilitating physical infrastructure. Third, from 2000 to 2008, Phnom Penh management was for the cause of internal security, continued rehabilitation and construction of physical infrastructure. Fourth, from 2008 to 2013, security and public order strengthening, continued rehabilitation and construction of physical infrastructure, and development of poor communities were the key focus of Phnom Penh management. Fifth, from 2013 until now, Phnom Penh management was for the cause of reform, sustainable development and future Smart City.
By Khan Sophirom
