Smart Axiata Wins Prestigious ASEAN Award for Child Online Protection Efforts

Phnom Penh – On August 27th, 2025, Smart Axiata has been honored with the 3rd ASEAN Outstanding Social Welfare and Development Award (AOSWADA) 2025, presented by the Republic of the Union of Myanmar under the auspices of ASEAN.  

This prestigious regional award celebrates organizations that have made remarkable contributions to social welfare and development. For Cambodia, the recognition goes to Smart Axiata as the private sector awardee for its leadership in safeguarding children in the digital age through various initiatives that goes towards building a safer online space for children.

Children today are more connected than ever before. While the internet has become a vital space for education and entertainment, it also exposes children to risks. According the ‘Disrupting Harm Report in Cambodia’ report, one in ten internet-using children in Cambodia has faced some form of online exploitation or abuse.  

As a telco and integrated ICT solution provider, Smart has voluntarily embraced the responsibility of being a champion for child online protection. Guided by the Child Online Protection Guideline issued by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Smart has embedded child safety into its operations—aligning with its vision to become Cambodia’s most trusted technology brand for consumers and businesses by 2026.  

Among its initiatives:

• Digital literacy workshops that have equipped more than 6,000 students with skills to navigate the internet responsibly.
• An animated video series on Data Privacy, Digital Footprints, and Online Safety Tips, viewed nearly half a million times, sparking critical conversations among parents and children.
• A reporting mechanism, developed in partnership with APLE Cambodia, that enables the public to report suspected child exploitation cases safely, already leading to 25 reports.
• Embedding child protection clauses into the Employee Code of Conduct to ensure safeguarding children is a value upheld across the workforce.
• The launch of WebShield for Child Safety was designed to block harmful online content before it reaches vulnerable users in partnership with the Internet Watch Foundation who currently operates in 53 countries. 

Smart has also reinforced its broader digital safety framework with measures including:

• ISO 27001:2022-certified Information Security Management Systems
• Next-generation signaling firewalls to strengthen security of consumer data and enhance network security  
• 24/7 threat monitoring systems
• Cybersecurity add-ons for consumers

“This award is a powerful recognition of the role the private sector can and must play in protecting children online,” said Ziad Shatara, CEO of Smart Axiata. “At Smart, we see child online protection not just as a responsibility, but as part of our mission to build a safer, more inclusive digital future for Cambodia. This honor inspires us to continue working hand-in-hand with government, civil society, and parents to ensure that every child can explore the digital world with confidence and security.”

The ASEAN Outstanding Social Welfare and Development Awards are presented every three years to governments, civil society organizations, and private companies that have made meaningful contributions to the welfare and protection of vulnerable groups. Smart Axiata’s recognition positions Cambodia at the forefront of regional efforts to create a safer and more inclusive digital society. 

About Smart

Smart Axiata, subsidiary of Axiata Group Malaysia, delivers telecommunication and integrated ICT solutions across Cambodia, boasting over 8 million subscribers. By transforming into a comprehensive mobile and digital technology brand, the company is revolutionizing the country’s digital landscape, redefining lifestyle entertainment and professional productivity through a range of innovative offerings.  

As a subsidiary of Axiata Group Berhad, one of Southeast Asia’s leading telecommunications groups, Smart is a key Malaysian enterprise partially owned by a sovereign wealth fund of the Government of Malaysia. Smart benefits from both regional expertise and global standards. This strong backing reinforces Smart’s commitment to delivering world-class services while contributing to Cambodia’s digital and economic transformation.