The Cambodian National Assembly Forum on the Role of Parliamentarians to Achieve the NCD-Related SDGs took place at the National Assembly Palace in Phnom Penh on 26 August 2019. Approximately 220 Cambodian Parliamentarians participated, along with the broader NCD community of stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations and academia.
The meeting was called by HE Mrs Lork Kheng, Chairperson of the Commission on Health, Social Work, Rehabilitation, Labour, Vocational Training and Women's Affairs of the National Assembly, and was presided over by HE Dr Nguon Nhel, Acting President of the National Assembly.
There were a series of technical presentations highlighting key activities to tackle NCDs in Cambodia and the importance of strengthening legal frameworks for NCDs, including a keynote speech by Dr. Takeshi Kasai who emphasised the importance of raising tobacco taxes and taxing unhealthy products.
The event was an important milestone for mobilising higher-level political support for key policy priorities for NCD prevention and control.