Cambodia Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Roadmap 2030

The Cambodia Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Roadmap 2030 outlines a comprehensive strategic plan, setting ambitious goals to transform Cambodia’s innovation landscape by 2030. The Roadmap, developed by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) under the guidance of various stakeholders, including international partners like ESCAP, is a part of the National Science, Technology & Innovation Policy 2020–2030.

The National STI Policy of Cambodia seeks to promote STI as a driving force for inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development to achieve the country’s Vision 2050 of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income economy by 2050 and achieving national goals for sustainable development. The objective of the National STI Policy is to strengthen the STI foundation, improve the enabling ecosystem, develop an STI environment for sustainable development and enhance the quality of people’s lives at all levels and in all sectors. The National STI Policy seeks to achieve these objectives by adopting and adapting technologies and promoting further innovation. The promotion of STI is also embedded in the Rectangular Strategy Stage 4, the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Vision 2050, the National Strategic Development Plan 2017– 2023 and the Industrial Development Policy 2015–2025. The line ministries strategies all include specific objectives for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and innovation. Prioritised sectors of the economy are agriculture, industry (manufacturing) and digital services.

The Roadmap structures its strategy around five key pillars:

1. Improving governance

It aims to enhance the governance of the national innovation system by setting clear roles for MISTI and improving coordination across ministries.

2. Building human capital

The focus is on enhancing STEM education, improving the quality of education, and building human resources crucial for economic growth.

3. Strengthening research capacities

This involves building the capacity of higher education and research institutions to conduct relevant and high-quality R&D activities.

4. Increasing collaborations

It emphasises strengthening networks and collaborations between stakeholders, including the implementation of the quadruple helix model of innovation.

5. Fostering an enabling ecosystem

The goal is to build absorptive capacities in firms for innovation and investment attraction.