Background
The Office of the Council of Ministers, through its Secretariat and a steering committee, coordinates the Government’s efforts to reform Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) across ministries and institutions. On 19 August 2026 in Phnom Penh, Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth chaired a video conference to discuss reforms to the RIA framework with the Asian Development Bank and a UK embassy team under the ASEAN-UK economic cooperation programme.
The Council of Ministers has positioned RIA as a component of Good Regulatory Practice to support legal and institutional reform and to improve the quality of policy decision-making. Participants reviewed two technical outputs—a Diagnostic Scan and Institutional Roadmap plus complementary Deep-Dive studies—and exchanged recommendations to strengthen RIA procedures, oversight mechanisms, and capacity-building measures.
Scope of Application
The RIA reform initiative targets the Government’s process for preparing regulatory instruments and law reform across relevant ministries, agencies, and the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. Reforms discussed cover institutional arrangements, oversight mechanisms for RIA implementation, and the development of formal RIA guidelines to be applied at the draft stage of laws, sub-decrees, and administrative procedures.
Key Provisions or Decisions
Meeting participants discussed revisions to Cambodia’s RIA framework informed by the Diagnostic Scan and the Deep-Dive studies. Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth requested the Asian Development Bank to accelerate completion of RIA guidelines and asked UK partners to continue technical assistance on implementing study recommendations. The Council requested continued donor support for hands-on training to build civil service capacity in preparing and applying RIAs at ministry and agency levels.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
Authorities expect an operational RIA framework to improve the evidentiary basis for policy choices and regulatory measures, which can reduce unnecessary procedures and administrative burdens on business and citizens. Strengthened RIA procedures and clearer guidance are intended to increase regulatory predictability, improve the quality of public services, and enhance institutional governance relevant to investment and commercial activity.
Official Source
Source: Office of the Council of Ministers Facebook post, 19 August 2026. Original post: https://www.facebook.com/ocmcambodia/posts/pfbid02LgdVT1SUuU9kJ78jLZhJmGojcievjXqZE6GWgCMPGMYSgpjtmCpXvimFgmVR7Krfl
