With support from the Australian Government, the ACCESS 2 Steering Committee (ASC) convened its third meeting on 29 September 2026. Ms Kirsty Harris, Development Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, co-chaired the meeting with her Cambodian government counterpart, H.E Met Makara, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY), in charge of the Disability Action Council (DAC).
The forum brought together government representatives, development partners, and key stakeholders to provide strategic guidance for the ACCESS 2 Program and advance Cambodia’s priorities in gender-based violence (GBV) response, disability inclusion, rehabilitation, and social protection.
Meeting Objectives
The meeting aimed to:
- Review key achievements and progress from Year 3 of the ACCESS 2 Program.
- Reflect on lessons learned, challenges, and mitigation measures.
- Endorse the ACCESS 2 Year 4 Annual Workplan (July 2026 to June 2027).
Who Was in the Room
Participants were the ASC members including representatives from MoSVY, DAC, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior, the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development Secretariat, Strategic Implementing Partners, Provincial Coordination Committee Chairs from four target provinces, the Australian Embassy, and the ACCESS 2 Program.
Australia Reaffirms Its Commitment
In her opening remarks, Ms Kirsty Harris highlighted the strength and importance of the bilateral partnership between Australia and Cambodia.
“This meeting marks another milestone in deepening collaboration between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Australian Government. Australia remains deeply committed to supporting ACCESS 2 to enhance GBV response, disability inclusion, rehabilitation, and social protection for Cambodia’s most vulnerable populations.”
Recognising Collective Progress
H.E Met Makara, Secretary of State of MoSVY and in charge of DAC, acknowledged the program’s achievements over the past year.
“ACCESS 2 has demonstrated the value of strong collaboration between the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Australian Government, development partners, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, civil society organisations, and local authorities in advancing disability inclusion, social protection, and GBV response.”
He highlighted key achievements, including stronger disability-inclusive social protection systems, increased participation of persons with disabilities and women in decision-making, expanded referral pathways, and greater integration of gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) into local planning and budgeting.
Key Decisions and Next Steps
ASC members reviewed Year 3 achievements, including increased access to services, high levels of service user satisfaction, active participation of persons with disabilities in policy processes, and deeper GEDSI integration across policies, plans, and budgets.
Participants also addressed ongoing key challenges and future priorities, emphasising evidence-based approaches, partnership, and beneficiary-centred implementation. The meeting concluded with the formal endorsement of the ACCESS 2 Annual Workplan for 2026-27, setting the strategic trajectory for the program’s fourth year.
Looking Ahead
The meeting reaffirmed the ASC’s commitment to providing strategic leadership and oversight, ensuring ACCESS 2 delivers long-term, high-quality, inclusive services for persons with disabilities, survivors of GBV, and Indigenous communities. The Co-Chairs closed the meeting by thanking all participants for their continued dedication to expanding essential services for those who need them most.
