Gov’t Launches Campaign to Clean Up Cities Nationwide

Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday said all of the country’s cities would compete with each other to beautify urban zones and attract more tourists in the newly devised Clean City contest. Nine Phnom Penh districts and 26 cities nationwide will be assessed on how clean and visitor-friendly they are, and those who do meet the criteria will be awarded a so-called “trophy logo” with one, two or three romdoul, the Cambodian national flower, depending on their performance. In a speech from his office in Phnom Penh, Mr. Hun Sen said cities will be challenged with “strengthening social security and safety by maintaining stability and social order and preventing drug trafficking, prostitution, and human trafficking, in particular that of women and children.” Urban areas will also be judged on the development of infrastructure, strengthening public services and implementing environmentally friendly initiatives.