UNDP visit to Kambodia

Provincial Governor
UNDP Resident Representative
Ladies and gentlemen

It is indeed a great pleasure to be with you tonight. I must say the meeting with the ancient Angkor Wat temple earlier today has left me almost speechless, with respect and admiration for the ancient culture. Still I would like to take a minute or two, to thank You Honourable Provincial Governor for hosting this dinner and according me and my entourage such a warm welcome to Siem Reap. I am grateful for the excellent food, the very kind words and the chance to discuss and learn from you how your region is working to alleviate poverty and promote development. The recent efforts of your government, in bringing new schools and improved health care for the people of your province are certainly impressive.

As you know, I am here in Cambodia in my capacity as Goodwill Ambassador for UNDP. When I accepted the invitation to become Ambassador, I was particularly interested in focussing on Millennium Development Goals, because I see it as a unique chance to coordinate efforts and improve the lives of so many millions by the year 2015. Tomorrow I am going to meet with a community which has created new methods for halting the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their community. I really look forward to meeting these brave people, because halting the spread of HIV/AIDS is a goal that the Crown Princess and I are particularly concerned about.

I was really pleased to hear that Siem Reap is among the provinces that have been able to provide treatment to its HIV/ AIDS affected inhabitants. Because it is no exaggeration to say that unless the world meets this specific Millennium Goal, it has little prospect of meeting the others, particularly the overarching target of halving extreme poverty by 2015.

During my first day here in Siem Reap I have really seen how your province has the potential to become a world tourist attraction, with its unique temples and stunning landscapes. Developing an industry, like we have done with the oil industry in Norway, requires a constant focus on the democratic and local side of governance. I must therefore say that I am very pleased to be the guest of a governor so dedicated to accountable and democratic governance. I thank you again for hosting this dinner and look forward to seeing more of your beautiful province tomorrow.