Cambodia Joins Digital Alliance for Sustainable Development
This photo is a screenshot from the Verify.gov.kh website where documents can be verified through QR Code.
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia has become the latest member of the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA), a United Nations’ global initiative promoting Sustainable Development Goals by using open-source solutions and artificial intelligence in low and middle-come countries.
Initiative members include Germany, India, Singapore, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the International Telecommunication Union and private tech companies.
On September 19, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication said Cambodia had developed trustworthy digital solutions for public use through online platforms to replace paper.
These platforms have been used by officials for public services, strengthened public trust, through roles such as identity verification and lower costs of verifying documents.
“The purpose was to enhance technology use in public services in Cambodia, providing convenience for governmental institutions and national and international institutions,” the ministry said.
The most remarkable platform is the Verify.gov.kh platform, which was established in 2022 as part of the digital revolution, aiming to counter fake news and documents by confirming validation of documents.
The platform can be used in various sectors that also aim to reduce the use of printed paper and unnecessary expense and time getting the government’s legal stamp or signature.
It aims to verify the authenticity of documents, which are available in Khmer and English. For verification, stakeholders who want to use such a capacity have to sign a memorandum of understanding with the ministry to receive a QR code.
The code takes users to the official website that provides the information — which has been integrated into the government’s and the institution’s system — related to the document, confirming its validity.
The ministry said the platform can be used in a federated way, allowing systems integrated in various countries to communicate for cross-border verification. Cambodia is developing a Global Verify Platform, where documents authorized in Cambodia can be verified in Laos, Singapore, Timore-Leste and other regional countries.
The ministry has signed MOUs with Singapore, Laos, Timor-Leste and the Philippines to diversify the platform, aiming to the promote cross-border verification of documents in a safe, convenient and frugal manner.
The ministry has signed memorandums of understanding on the QR code with other ministries and public institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Tourism, as well as some universities and media institutions.
The ministry has also conducted training on digital skills, organized digital infrastructure, best practices and the implementation of Verify.gov.kh by stakeholders.
For its outstanding benefit in public services, Verify.gov.kh won a gold medal in at the ASEAN Digital Awards 2024 in Singapore during the 4th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting.