Cambodia urges ethical AI governance at Asian political party forum

Cambodia's ruling party has called for stronger ethical governance of artificial intelligence (AI), greater investment in human capital and closer regional cooperation, as Asian political parties grapple with the opportunities and risks posed by rapidly advancing AI technologies. The appeal was made by Minister of Inspection Sok Soken during a special discussion on "Asia's Transformation in the Digital Era: The Challenges of Artificial Intelligence", held as part of the 45th Standing Committee Meeting of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from June 25 to 28.

Leading a Cambodian People's Party (CPP) delegation, Soken noted that AI has become a strategic force reshaping economies, governance systems and societies worldwide, but warned that its rapid development also presents challenges ranging from widening economic inequality and labour market disruption to ethical, privacy and security concerns that require clear governance frameworks. He said Cambodia's response is being guided by the Royal Government's digital transformation agenda under Prime Minister Hun Manet, which places digital technology at the centre of national development.

According to a press release, Soken highlighted the government's commitment to promoting innovation, improving productivity, strengthening national competitiveness and enhancing public services through digital transformation, while ensuring AI development is governed by clear ethical principles and accountability. He proposed five priorities to help Asia maximise AI's benefits while mitigating its risks: investing in human capital and digital skills, promoting research and innovation, establishing responsible and ethical AI governance, strengthening regional cooperation and creating an enabling environment for AI development.

The special forum brought together 16 speakers from Cambodia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Nepal, China, Azerbaijan, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia to discuss how AI is reshaping Asia. The participants agreed that AI will play a defining role in the region's future, but stressed that digital transformation must remain centred on protecting the interests of people rather than technology alone. The meeting also underscored the importance of establishing effective AI governance frameworks.

Delegates from China, Mongolia, South Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar shared recommendations on how governments should regulate AI responsibly while encouraging innovation. Beyond the AI discussion, the ICAPP Standing Committee reviewed organisational reforms aimed at strengthening the regional forum and expanding cooperation among political parties across Asia. The committee agreed to convene the first Intercontinental Political Parties Dialogue, the 46th Standing Committee Meeting, the eighth ICAPP Media Forum and the 13th ICAPP General Assembly in the Republic of Korea before the end of 2026. It also confirmed that Mongolia will host the eighth ICAPP Youth Forum in early 2027.