Phnom Penh, Cambodia – February 19, 2025
Nplus has successfully promoted and participated in the High-Level Dialogue on Sustainability in Cambodian Infrastructure and Heritage: Monitoring for a Resilient Future, a prestigious event organized by EuroCham Cambodia, through its national chapter ItaCham. The conference, held at Novotel BKK1 in Phnom Penh, gathered leading experts, government officials, and industry professionals to discuss the role of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) in ensuring the sustainability and resilience of Cambodia’s infrastructure and cultural heritage.
A forum for innovation and sustainability
The High-Level Dialogue focused on how advanced SHM technologies can serve as a strategic tool for a rapidly developing nation like Cambodia. With a strong commitment to innovation, Cambodia is well-positioned to integrate monitoring solutions that enhance the safety, efficiency, and longevity of its infrastructure and historical monuments.
The event opened with remarks from Martin Brisson, Executive Director of the European Chamber of Commerce, who underscored the necessity of embracing cutting-edge technologies to support Cambodia’s sustainable development.
Nplus at the forefront of Structural Health Monitoring
The opening speech was delivered by Mr. Giordano Riello, President of Nplus, who emphasized the strong cultural heritage of Italy and Cambodia and the critical role of SHM in safeguarding both historical landmarks and modern infrastructure. He highlighted that Cambodia’s strong focus on innovation positions it as a potential leader in smart infrastructure management and resilient urban development.
The event’s keynote address was presented by Dr. Francesca Brighenti, International Sales Director of Nplus, SHM Specialist, and PhD from the University of Trento. She shared her extensive international expertise, showcasing successful SHM case studies and underlining Nplus’ global leadership in the field.
Dr. Brighenti’s address detailed how SHM technologies enable:
- Optimized infrastructure maintenance, preventing structural deterioration.
- Cost reduction through predictive, data-driven maintenance strategies.
- Enhanced safety for bridges, viaducts, and critical infrastructure.
She also emphasized the significance of structural monitoring in preserving Cambodia’s historical and architectural heritage, highlighting prime examples where SHM can mitigate risks and ensure long-term conservation.
A key moment of the event was the presentation of Nplus’ case study on the structural monitoring of Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano). This example demonstrated how Italian expertise in SHM can provide valuable insights for Cambodia, fostering a strong technical and cultural partnership between the two nations.
Insights from Cambodian and international experts
The event featured a distinguished panel of Cambodian and international experts who provided insights into the intersection of technology, infrastructure, and heritage preservation:
- H.E. Ly Vanna, Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, stressed the importance of monitoring technologies in preserving crucial historical sites while respecting Cambodia’s cultural heritage.
- H.E. Tan Sokchea, Director General, General Department of Potable Water (Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation), emphasized the role of monitoring technologies in ensuring water infrastructure safety and efficiency.
- Prof. Sokuntheary So, Norton University, shared her expertise on architectural heritage preservation.
- Mr. Alessandro Mangano, Partner of Architectural Engineering Consultants, detailed his experience in SHM for the Colosseum in Rome, recognizing the value of the Nplus Milan Cathedral case study. He also highlighted the importance of applying SHM to modern buildings, where design flaws and structural defects may arise.
The discussion was moderated by Prof. Riccardo Corrado, Associate Professor at CamEd Business School and Vice-President of ItaCham, who reinforced the importance of heritage preservation and the economic benefits of SHM in maintenance cost reduction and long-term infrastructure planning.
The closing remarks were delivered by Mr. Fabio Cardani, Nplus Business Development Manager for Southeast Asia. He thanked the speakers, panelists, and attendees while emphasizing the similarities between Italy and Cambodia—two nations with a rich cultural history and a drive for innovation. Mr. Cardani highlighted how SHM helps anticipate and prevent challenges, ensuring the resilience of infrastructure for future generations.
Broad international participation
The event attracted over 80 in-person attendees at Novotel BKK1, along with industry experts joining remotely from South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This high level of participation reflects the growing regional and global interest in SHM applications for infrastructure and cultural heritage protection.
A milestone for future collaboration
The High-Level Dialogue was a significant step forward in fostering collaboration between Italian and Cambodian experts in infrastructure sustainability and heritage conservation. Nplus is proud to have played a leading role in this initiative and remains committed to promoting innovative monitoring solutions that bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, past and future.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Nplus srl
Email: f.cardani@nplus.it
Website: www.nplus.it/en
