The DI Workstream is one of the three existing workstreams that meets on a 6-monthly basis under the Australia-Cambodia Cooperation for Equitable and Sustainable Services – Phase 2 (ACCESS 2) program.
On 30 July 2024, the Disability Action Council Secretariat General (DAC-SG) and the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY) co-chaired the first DI workstream meeting. The main purpose of this meeting was to review and adopt the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the DI workstream. Additionally, it aimed to provide members with updates on key progress, upcoming events, and knowledge sharing among its Strategic Implementing Partners (SIPs) and relevant ministries. The meeting also identified aeas of synergy within the DI workstream and across other workstreams, documented key topics for future meetings, and discussed relevant policies, strategies, and information, and provided an opportunity to stakeholders to escalate issues to RGC and DFAT.
Representatives from MoSVY, DAC-SG, the Ministry of Health, the National Committee for Sub-national Democratic Development Secretariat, the Provincial Department of Social, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation (from ACCESS 2 targeted provinces), DFAT representatives, ACCESS 2 team members, and ACCESS 2 Strategic Implementing Partners (SIPs) working on the DI workstream—including the Cambodia Disabled People’s Organization (CDPO), People’s Action for Inclusive Development (PAfID), CARE, and UNICEF—shared their progress, future priorities, and upcoming events.
H.E Ung Sambath, Acting Secretary General of DAC-SG and Co-Chair of the DI Workstream warmly welcomed all participants and emphasized the importance of the DI workstream’s efforts in benefiting persons with disabilities. He also commended the support from the Australian Government through ACCESS 2, which contributes to advancing the priorities of the National Disability Strategic Plan (NDSP). He expressed hope that the partnership cooperation through the ACCESS 2 program would enhance access to quality and coordinated services for persons with disabilities and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), while increasing the participation of GBV and disability representatives in related initiatives.
H.E. San Sophal, Director General of Rehabilitation at MoSVY and Co-Chair of the DI Workstream, expressed appreciation for the Australian Government’s ongoing support through ACCESS 2 and its SIPs. He specifically thanked the people and the Government of Australia for their decade-long commitment to the disability sector in Cambodia, especially through ACCESS phases 1 and 2.
Ms. Som Chanthida, a representative from DFAT, reaffirmed the Australian Government’s commitment through ACCESS 2. She highlighted its support for key components of the NDSP and the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women (NAPVAW), aiming to improve service delivery for GBV survivors and persons with disabilities in Cambodia.
The DI workstream made progress as planned, with the endorsement of the DI Workstream’s ToR, provision of updates from ACCESS 2 partners, and identification of key areas of synergy among SIPs.
