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Economic and Social Development – 1992

In a donor conference in Tokyo, Cambodian leader Prince Norodom Sihanouk emphasized the need to assist the agricultural sector and rural peasants. Besides clearing mines, he highlighted the urgency of coming up with an expedient way of providing water to rural peasants, utilizing hand drills to dig wells in sufficient quantities, utilizing bulldozers and other machines to dig water reservoirs in large numbers, and building as many dams as possible. He prioritized the need to rehabilitate agriculture. He asked that diversified aid be given to the majority of the population in order that they would be able to deal with different reconstruction and rehabilitation issues.¹

Cambodia received tremendous international support in its various initiatives, including the reconstruction of infrastructure and rehabilitation of those displaced during the war. At the Tokyo donor conference held on June 21-22, 1992, the donor community pledged $880 million in aid. The conference concluded with the Tokyo Declaration.²

1. “Sihanouk’s Speech Emphasizes Assisting the Poor and Agriculture,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, June 23, 1992.
2. “Tokyo Declaration on the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Cambodia,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, June 24, 1992.