PHNOM PENH — GIZ Cambodia has officially commenced a high-level Advisory Mission on Fiscal Decentralization and Sub-National Administration Financial Management, welcoming Mr. Werner Gatzer, the former State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Finance, to the Kingdom.
This critical advisory initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening Cambodia’s public financial management and local governance frameworks. The mission began with a series of high-level courtesy exchanges aimed at aligning international expertise with Cambodia’s strategic goals.
On the first day of the mission, Mr. Gatzer held foundational dialogues with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, H.E. Dr. Aun Pornmoniroth, alongside Senior Minister and Deputy Head of the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development, H.E. Sak Setha.
According to GIZ Cambodia, these initial consultations serve an essential purpose in gaining a first-hand understanding of the Royal Government’s priorities and grounding the mission deeply within the realities of Cambodia’s domestic reform agenda.
At its core, the fiscal decentralization initiative focuses on structurally realigning how public finances are allocated, ensuring that critical resources, administrative responsibilities, and strict accountability mechanisms flow efficiently to local authorities. This strategic shift is vital because the sub-national level is where citizens directly encounter and experience everyday public services.
Moving forward, the advisory mission will evaluate how to advance these financial structures effectively. To ensure a comprehensive and sustainable impact, the mission is executing its agenda in close partnership with a wide network of stakeholders, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development Secretariat, the Ministry of Interior, various Sub-National Administrations, international development partners, and civil society organizations.
This collaborative momentum highlights a shared commitment to building transparent, localized, and accountable governance that directly serves Cambodian communities.