Publications

Law Talk Conference 2024 - Report

Since its inception in 2006, Law Talk Conference has been hosting various discussions on legal development in Cambodia on many topics such as labor law, consumer protection, cybersecurity, personal data protection, and more. This is an exclusive conference which brings stakeholders together to discuss how to make the law better for Cambodia. Every year, we welcome over 50 guests from government bodies, international organizations, legal practitioners, businesses, and academics to discuss emerging legal issues. Over the years, Law Talk has been instrumental in shaping legal frameworks and influencing national policies. A noteworthy achievement was in 2022 when recommendations from Law Talk’s publication on Consumer Protection were adopted into a Sub-Decree 0.113 on “cooling off” period by the Ministry of Commerce, underscoring the conference's impact on legal reform. This year, the 23rd Law Talk was held under the theme of “The Intersection of Law and Artificial Intelligence” with the support from the National University of Management and the German Federal Bar Association.

The Law Talk Publication 2023

Regulating Personal Data Protection and Cybersecurity

Since 2006, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Cambodia and our partners have hosted The Law Talk every year as part of our ceaseless effort to advance a culture of legal academic work and legal discourse in Cambodia and the region. Individuals with diverse backgrounds in law, including academics, researchers, scholars, students, public officers, politicians, NGO workers, embassies, and international organisations, are invited to participate in a meeting to discuss specific legal issues. Every law talk that has taken place over the years has covered a wide range of legal subjects, such as criminal law, labour law, human rights, environmental law, constitutional law, law pertaining to political parties, law pertaining to consumer protection, and so forth. Partners that we have previously collaborated with include the Senate, the National Assembly, the Cambodian Constitutional Council, and relevant ministries in Cambodia. At the 22nd Law Talk, which was held on November 30, 2023, up to 60 legal scholars and practitioners from Cambodia and overseas were invited to participate in and shape the discussion surrounding the legal development of “Cybersecurity and Data Protection in Cambodia and Beyond.” Under the framework of Law Talk Publication, co-organised by KAS, the National University of Management (NUM), and the Royal University of Law and Economics (RULE), a number of scholars from Cambodia and abroad have contributed chapters covering various subtopics associated with the theme mentioned above. As the host, KAS Cambodia commits to carrying on the delivery and facilitation of the dialogue on legal issues affecting Cambodia and the region around it.

Digital Transformation in Cambodia

Adenauer Young Scholars' Perspectives

As Cambodia advances toward a digitalized economy and society—a key pillar of the Pentagonal Strategy Phase I—we have sought the insights of young scholars on pertinent issues in this transformation. In response, our young fellows from the Adenauer Young Scholars for Excellence Program have contributed their views through twelve commentaries compiled in this second edited volume: Adenauer Young Scholars Perspective on Digital Transformation in Cambodia. This volume is, indeed, thought-provoking, insightful, timely, and crucial to the better understanding of digital transformation in Cambodia.

Diversifying Options for Cambodia's Economic Diplomacy Strategy: German and Southeast Asian Perspectives

Outcome Report

MFA.IC has launched a comprehensive “Economic Diplomacy Strategy – Phase I (2021-2023)” in 2021. The strategy outlined Cambodia’s plan to achieve grand objectives such as promotion of international trade, attracting more foreign direct investment to the Kingdom, boosting tourism, and promoting Cambodia’s cultural identity on regional and global stage. The Economic Diplomacy strategy was adopted with a vision of “strengthening Cambodia’s national prestige by advancing and maximizing national economic interest”. Phase I of the Strategy has concluded in 2023 and is now pending for an unveiling of the Phase II of the strategy. As we are expecting the launch of the second phase of the strategy, gathering credible inputs from diverse perspectives is crucial.

Law Brief 2.0 - Digital Law

Law Brief is a compilation of legal articles produced by KAS For Legal Youth (KASFLY) fellows as part of their the program. This year´s papers aim to serve as a contribution to lawmakers with the current draft of Personal Data Protection law and Cybersecurity law.

Digital Insights: Future of Education

Digital Insights is one of the flagship publications of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Cambodia. The vision of the project is to support research on the challenges and chances of digital transformation in order to create an inclusive and bright future for all.

Law Brief: Navigating the Legal Landscape

Law Brief is a collection of legal articles that are written by KASFLY-2023 Fellows. Each fellowship consists of a series of training that enhance critical thinking, research, analysis, and academic writing skills.

Policy Brief: Social Issues in Cambodia

In this volume, thirdteen articles have been highlighted in four areas ranging from 1) Phnom Penh City, 2) Economy and Digitalization, 3) Disaster Risk and Waste Management, and 4) Sustainable Development Goals in Cambodia.

Special Report - “ASEAN’s Critical Assessment and Practical Reforms”

This special publication aims to explore ASEAN’s weaknesses or loopholes in its existing working mechanisms, policies and initiatives by looking at its main three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), and to offer recommendations for practical reforms.

Three Decades of Cambodian-German Diplomatic Relations New Historical Height, Progresses, and Ways Forward

On 3 October 2023, Cambodia and Germany commemorated the 30th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relations. The two nations’ bilateral ties date back to the 19th century when Adolf Bastian, a German polymath, visited Angkor and brought Cambodia’s cultural richness to the attention of Kaiser Wilhem II of the Imperial Germany. After gaining full independence from France in 1953, Cambodia was recognized as a state by the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in 1956 and by the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1959. As a neutral country, Cambodia recognized the two German states and subsequently established diplomatic ties with FRG and GDR. Cambodia and GDR had consular relations in 1961 and the first consular office in 1967, while Cambodia and FRG established the official diplomatic ties in 1967.