Cambodia Investment Review
The Asia Pacific International Spirits and Wines Alliance (APISWA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), the International Business Chamber of Cambodia (IBC) and the Automobile Association of Cambodia (AAC), establishing a long-term public-private partnership aimed at strengthening road safety across the Kingdom.
Signed during the APISWA Cambodia Road Safety Engagement 2026 event in Phnom Penh, the agreement creates the “Shared Road, Shared Responsibility” initiative, providing a framework for joint action on public education, enforcement, capacity building and evidence-based road safety programmes.
The partnership supports Cambodia’s national road safety strategy while aligning with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.6, which aims to halve road traffic deaths and injuries worldwide by 2030.
According to APISWA, road traffic injuries claim approximately 1.19 million lives globally every year, with drink driving remaining one of the leading behavioural risk factors. The organisation noted that research by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) shows meaningful progress has been made in reducing alcohol-related road fatalities since 2010, demonstrating the impact of sustained, evidence-based initiatives and cross-sector collaboration.
Protecting Lives and Families Across Cambodia
H.E. MIN Meanvy, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Secretary General of Cambodia’s National Road Safety Committee, said improving road safety remains a national priority.
“Road safety is first and foremost about protecting lives and families across Cambodia, so we see it as a national priority. This MoU is an important step in building a structured partnership through which we can strengthen our capacity to make our roads safer, while also encouraging businesses and communities to play their part in supporting safer behaviour and protecting families across the country.”
Bora Moeu, President of the Automobile Association of Cambodia, said the organisation would contribute its technical expertise and experience working directly with motorists to strengthen Cambodia’s road safety culture.
“As the national voice for drivers and road users, we see every day how decisions behind the wheel translate into real consequences on the road. We are fully committed to bringing our technical knowledge and frontline experience with motorists into the collaboration, so that safer behaviour becomes part of Cambodia’s everyday motoring culture.”
Long-Term Collaboration
The four organisations committed to working together to:
- Enhance road safety awareness and public education.
- Strengthen public-private cooperation on road safety policy and enforcement.
- Facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing among stakeholders.
- Develop and implement long-term, evidence-based road safety programmes.
Ludovic Ledru, Chairman of APISWA and Chief Executive Officer of Pernod Ricard, said coordinated action remains critical to reducing drink driving.
“Global data and our experiences across Asia-Pacific tell us that drink driving harms can be reduced when we all work together under a whole-of-society approach. As APISWA, we are fully committed to reducing drink driving and promoting safer roads by bringing our long-term programmes, evidence-based campaigns and resources to support Cambodia’s efforts and help make safer choices the norm for every road user.”
Paul Clements, Chairperson of the International Business Chamber of Cambodia, said the private sector also has an important responsibility in improving road safety.
“The international business community has a clear stake in safer roads, and a clear role in supporting them. Through this partnership, IBC members are committing to help drive the road safety agenda and to demonstrate that responsible business means keeping our employees, customers and communities safer on roads.”
Building on Regional Initiatives
The agreement builds on APISWA’s wider road safety programmes across Southeast Asia.
Earlier this year, the organisation partnered with FIA-affiliated national automobile clubs to distribute 3,500 safety helmets across Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam following UN Road Safety Week 2026, including around 500 helmets donated to Cambodian universities and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions.
APISWA has also signed formal cooperation agreements with national FIA clubs to support long-term road safety programmes while expanding public awareness campaigns promoting responsible road user behaviour.
Since 2022, APISWA’s regional “Power of No” campaign has brought together 28 government, NGO, private sector and community organisations across Southeast Asia to encourage young adults to reject drink driving. According to the organisation, the campaign has reached more than 40 million young people through behaviour-change messaging promoting responsible choices.
The new MoU formalises Cambodia’s participation in these broader regional efforts while reinforcing collaboration between government agencies, businesses and civil society to improve road safety outcomes over the long term.
