28 April 2026, Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia – UN-Habitat Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms Kazuko Ishigaki, had a courtesy visit to the Provincial Governor of Preah Sihanouk, City Mayor, and visited two informal settlements in the province.

Since 26 April 2026, Ms. Ishigaki has been visiting Cambodia to strengthen engagement counterparts, development partners, the United Nations system, and local stakeholders through high-level meetings, and field visits in Preah Sihanouk Province, and participation in the Third Cambodia Urban and Housing Forum (CUHF3).

Ms. Ishigaki had a two-day mission to Preah Sihanouk province with the purpose to partnership with the provincial authorities and to observe local living conditions firsthand and to engage directly with community realities in one of Cambodia’s rapidly urbanizing coastal areas.

The mission began with a courtesy meeting with the Provincial Governor of Preah Sihanouk, who shared the province’s ambitious development vision, from the expansion of the seaport and future multi-purpose Special Economic Zone to stronger regional links across ASEAN.  He expressed sincerely thanks to UN-Habitat for long-standing partnership with Preah Sihanouk Province across key areas, including climate change, waste management, informal settlements, affordable housing and smart city development.

Ms. Ishigaki also visited two informal settlements and directly engaged with stakeholders where UN-Habitat has been working directly with communities on upgrading initiatives. Local stakeholders shared their experiences on how cleaner environments, safer spaces, and improved lighting have changed daily life. The hearing was a good opportunity to confirm the effectiveness and the importance of people-centred urban development through the UN-Habitat’s flagship, the People’s Process.

As Cambodia’s cities continue to grow, UN-Habitat remains committed to supporting government partners and communities to ensure urbanization and affordable housing are inclusive, sustainable, healthy, and resilient for a better urban future.