PHNOM PENH:The Siem Reap Smart City Project is set to enter its second phase in August 2025, following the conclusion of the first phase in May 2025.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will continue to provide support for the project.
During a Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting in Siem Reap provincial city on Mar. 5, Siem Reap Provincial Deputy Governor Mr. Yun Linne, announced the transition.
Phase 1, initiated with JICA’s technical assistance, focused on identifying urban challenges and creating a smart city roadmap, which was released in March 2023.
The collaborative efforts between the Siem Reap provincial administration and JICA during Phase 1 resulted in eight pilot initiatives, including: Improved waste collection systems; Illegal parking monitoring; Digitised tourism statistics; Internal document flow tracking; Urban environmental monitoring via sensors; Public-private partnerships in tourism; Smart waste collection and transportation; The Siem Reap Smart City Data Platform (SSDaP) Six of these projects are being fully implemented and expanded.
The Smart City Forum, established by the provincial administration with private-sector involvement, aims to position Siem Reap as a model city within the ASEAN Smart Cities Network.
Mr. Abe Masanorio, Head of the Second Working Group on Urban and Regional Development at JICA, commended the Smart City Forum for its collaborative approach.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would serve as a model for other Cambodian cities.
For his part, Mr. Hirono, representing JICA’s advisory team, acknowledged the challenges faced during the project’s initial stages amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
He affirmed Japan’s continued commitment to supporting Siem Reap’s transformation. With ongoing support from Japan, Siem Reap aims to integrate innovation with its cultural heritage, becoming a leading urban center.