Gov’t Unveils Robust Protocols for State Land Ownership Registration

• 29 November 2023
• Property Focus
• 2531 Views

The Cambodian government has introduced a comprehensive set of procedures for the registration of state lands. Sub-Decree No. 321, enacted on 2 November 2023, delineates a strategic framework encompassing the identification, mapping, and classification of state lands. The primary objective is to fortify the protection of ownership and associated rights of state-owned properties.

The sub-decree provides a nuanced definition of “state land,” encompassing public land belonging to the State and other public legal entities, alongside private land owned by the State and other public legal entities.

Under the ambit of this sub-decree, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction assumes responsibility for overseeing state land registration. The identification and mapping of state lands are delegated as follows:

The Capital & Provincial State Land Management Committee holds jurisdiction in the capital, with the Provincial Land Management, Urban Planning, Construction, and Cadastral Department authorized to use the seal of the Capital and Provincial Administration.

The State Land Working Group, operating at the municipal, district, and khan levels, is situated within the Office of Land Management, Urban Planning, Construction, and Land of the Municipal, District, Khan Administration. This group holds the authority to use the seal of the Municipal, District, Khan Administration.

The registration procedures for state land necessitate a systematic or separate approach in compliance with prevailing legal documents. The sequential steps include:

1. Confirmation of ownership
2. Clear demarcation
3. Consensus-seeking from involved parties
4. Final registration in the land register

Additionally, the sub-decree outlines special procedures for state land registration, which can be invoked by the MLMUPC under specific conditions. These include (1). pre-defined information on state land regarding size, type, and usage specifications, and (2). a formal request from the state land authority.

• land development and policy