Phnom Penh, 8 August 2024 – Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei KHOUN SUDARY, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, warmly welcomed the Khmer Artist Association (KAA) delegation, led by Her Excellency Ms. Mao Chamnan, at the National Assembly Palace.
Samdech Rathsaphea Thipadei congratulated H.E. Ms. Mao Chamnan on becoming the President of the KAA. Samdech praised the well-organized council and executive structures, clear statute of the association. Samdech expressed her appreciation to the delegation, noting the powerful role of artists in attracting people and emphasizing the importance of collective effort for progress. Samdech acknowledged the importance of setting up necessary resources and expressed pride in the association’s smooth operation and its objective to support artists and raise Cambodian identity.
H.E. Ms. Mao Chamnan praised Samdech for her significant achievements as the first female President of the National Assembly of Cambodia. Since the beginning of the 6th term, Madam Chamnan has led the delegation to pay royal audience to His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and pay courtesy calls on Samdech Techo HUN SEN, Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister HUN MANET, and H.E. First-Lady Pich Chammony.
Madam Chamnan has also renewed the Board of Councils to strengthen strategic plans. She has organized several major events, signed MoUs with significant institutions, and engaged in activities supporting HIV prevention and anti-drug efforts. Notably, KAA has produced new films for the Funan Techo Canal groundbreaking ceremony. Additionally, KAA is set to organize the “Cambodia’s Smiling” event in Angkor, Siem Reap, from August 13-15 to promote Cambodian tourism globally.
Samdech highlighted key messages regarding conservation and development. She urged the association to revive and stage long-forgotten arts and cultural aspects, blending them with modern technology to reach the global market. Samdech also noted that while KAA is a non-profit organization, fundraising is essential to support its activities.
Samdech emphasized the crucial roles of a cultural corridor as it is a part of promoting development in Cambodia across various fields, including economics, commerce, tourism, and diplomatic and people-to-people connections, as well as presenting the Cambodian identity to the global arena.
Samdech noted the importance of integrating culture with development, stating that arts, culture, and civilization are the soul of the nation. As the proverb says, when culture fades, the nation collapses; when culture thrives, the nation prospers.