• Your Majesty Queen Azizah, Royal Patron of Friends of Asia Pacific World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS);
  • Madam Candela Gonzalez, Chair of the WAGGGS World Board;
  • Madam Kaela Saenz Oriti, President of the Olave Baden-Powell Society (OB-PS);
  • Excellency Dr. Pich Chanmony, Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Cambodia;
  • Excellencies, distinguished national and international guests, WAGGGS, OB-PS leaders and delegates from various countries, and all dear participants!

Today, I have great pleasure to preside over the opening ceremony of the 39th WAGGGS World Conference and the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Olave Baden-Powell Society on the land of Angkor, Siem Reap province, Kingdom of Cambodia.

On behalf of the Royal Government and the people of Cambodia, I would like to extend our warmest welcome to Her Majesty Queen Azizah, the leaders of WAGGGS, the OB-PS community, and all international delegates and guests, attending in person and through video teleconference from over 116 countries around the world. Your honourable presence is not only a profound honor for the Girl Guides of Cambodia, but also for the entire Khmer nation. We are thrilled to host you and to share the warmth, hospitality, and true spirit of the Cambodian heart at this spectacular event.

Here, on the sacred land of Siem Reap-Angkor, we are honored to present the true face of modern Cambodia. I believe our international friends visiting for the first time will be pleasantly surprised, the Cambodia you see today with your own eyes stands in vibrant contrast to the one often portrayed in some media. By being here in person, you can truly witness our nation’s peace, stability, security, progressive development, as well as our capacity to provide warm hospitality while hosting such a prestigious international event.

[Start of Comment]

last night I had an opportunity to meet few members of delegates at pub-street. I guess you had the chance to explore Cambodia at night here on the sacred land of Siem Reap, Angkor. We are honor to present to you the modern face of Cambodia. By being here, you witness our nation’s peace, stability, and security.

[End of Comment]

Peace is the foundation of everything. Without peace, we cannot speak of education, development, women’s engagement, or the future of our youth. It is because of this peace that Cambodia has been able to rebuild its infrastructure, expand educational opportunities, create jobs, and enhance social welfare. This peace allows us to open our doors to international friends, creating opportunities in which we can share knowledge, experiences, and lasting friendship with Cambodian people.

In this regard, hosting the WAGGGS World Conference and the OB-PS meeting in Cambodia reflects the profound confidence our international friends place in our nation. It also presents a remarkable opportunity for Cambodia to actively contribute to the global movement—driving leadership, social service, civic responsibility, and a brighter future for girls and young women.

Your Majesty, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

The theme of this conference, ‘We See, We Care, We Act,’ is concise yet profoundly meaningful, as beautifully articulated by Her Excellency Dr. Pich Chanmony Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Cambodia.

This is precisely the spirit that the Royal Government of Cambodia strives to foster at every level of society—a society that recognizes the inherent value of its people, cares for those in need, and works collectively toward shared progress.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to emphasize that the Royal Government of Cambodia has consistently prioritized gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls across all sectors. Within our policy agenda and the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I, we are deeply committed to fostering good citizenship within a highly civilized society—one that champions morality, equity, and inclusiveness, with ‘women at the core’ of our national development.

The Royal Government continues to increase its investment in gender equality, empowering women and girls across economic, education, health, and public leadership sectors. Our goal is to fully reap the benefits of the gender dividend: creating favorable conditions for women to exercise their decision-making rights in family planning, reducing vulnerability to gender-based violence, and fostering strong intergenerational relationships.

At the same time, we firmly recognize that women are not merely beneficiaries of peace, but are essential agents in building and maintaining it—from the family and local communities to the national and international stage. On this note, I am proud to highlight that Cambodia is internationally recognized for its contribution to United Nations peacekeeping missions. From 2006 through 2025, Cambodia deployed a total of 10,447 peacekeepers across 10 countries, including 990 brave women who served on the frontlines of global peace.

The Royal Government of Cambodia remains deeply committed to prioritizing human capital development, education, healthcare, social well-being, and opportunity creation, while continuously elevating the role of women and youth in national development. We hold a firm conviction that a girl who is well-educated, safe, and confident is a catalyst for transformation. Armed with the opportunity to participate in society, she will not only change her own life, but she will uplift her family, transform her community, and help shape the future of her own country.

In this context, the Girl Scout movement plays a vital role. It is far more than a program highlighting youth activities. It is a foundational platform for training in discipline, leadership, volunteerism, teamwork, sense of responsibility, courage and compassion necessary to serve society with distinction.

This movement demonstrates that true leadership often begins with small, meaningful actions—whether it is supporting a friend, respecting discipline, serving community, protecting our environment, or caring for the vulnerable as well as contributing to harmony of the community. When carrying out with sincerity and consistency, these simple acts coalesce into a powerful force that transforms society as a whole. From girls actively engaging in their communities to women ascending into pivotal leadership roles, empowering women means empowering the nation and securing our shared future.

Cambodia is pleased to join the international community in reaffirming the important message that “Girls and women are not merely waiting for the future.” We also wish to underscore that “Girls and women are active participants in shaping the future, starting from today”.

On behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the WAGGGS for its enduring and invaluable mission. Your dedication empowers girls and women worldwide to become active, responsible, and capable citizens driven by a profound spirit of service. I would also like to commend the OB-PS for uniting friends, supporters, and philanthropists who share a fierce belief in the potential of young girls, creating a powerful network of support for this deeply meaningful movement.

I would like to express my strong support for the Girl Guides Association of Cambodia, under the leadership of Her Excellency Dr. Pich Chanmony, Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Cambodia, for her dedicated efforts in promoting greater opportunities for Cambodian girls and women in education, training, social service, and engagement with the international movement.

I would also like to extend my deepest appreciation to the ministries, institutions, the Siem Reap provincial authorities, the organizing committees, protocol teams, security personnel, medical teams, volunteers, and our dedicated girl guides and women. My thanks also go to all relevant partners who have worked tirelessly to ensure this event is conducted smoothly, safely, and with the utmost dignity and warm hospitality, beautifully reflecting Cambodia’s capacity as the host nation.

Your Majesty, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

I sincerely hope that, throughout your stay in Cambodia, you will find opportunities beyond the official program to immerse yourselves in the richness of Khmer culture—from the Majesty of our Angkor heritage and arts to our storied traditions, unique cuisine, and the legendary warmth of Cambodian people. I encourage all our international friends to forge new friendships, build lasting partnerships, and learn from one another. May you return to your respective countries carrying meaningful experiences and the fondest memories of your time here in Cambodia.

In closing, I would like to extend my highest respects and best wishes to Her Majesty Queen Azizah, the leaders of WAGGGS, the OB-PS community, our distinguished guests, and all the inspiring young women and participants gathered here today. May you all be blessed with good health, happiness, and continued success in your noble missions.

I wish the 39th WAGGGS World Conference and the 42nd Annual Meeting of The Olave Baden-Powell Society every success and fruitful outcome.

With great pleasure, I now officially declare the 39th WAGGGS World Conference and the 42nd Annual Meeting of The Olave Baden-Powell Society open!