PHNOM PENH: Cambodia is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, which could reduce its gross domestic product by about 9.8 per cent by 2050, Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth told an Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) multistakeholder dialogue in Phnom Penh.
Sophalleth appeared as a guest speaker at the “Climate-Resilient Food Systems and Responsible Agricultural Investment: Advancing the Asean RAI Agenda” AIPA forum, held at the National Assembly from Aug 25 to 26.
He noted that Cambodia and the broader Asean region are closely interconnected, with millions of people relying directly or indirectly on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods.
Agriculture has been particularly hard hit by climate change, threatening food security and livelihoods, he said.
Transforming food systems and developing climate-resilient agriculture will require greater investment from governments, the private sector, development partners and financial institutions to mobilise financing, technology, innovation and market opportunities.
The minister also highlighted peace as a fundamental foundation for sustainable development and an effective global response to climate change, while Cambodia’s clear development vision reflects the government’s strong commitment to pursuing sustainable development.
As a party to the Paris Agreement on climate change, Cambodia formally submitted its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2025.
The NDC raises Cambodia’s ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 55 percent by 2035 across five key sectors: energy; industrial processes and product use (IPPU); agriculture; forestry and other land use (FOLU); and waste.
Cambodia has also adopted the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2024-2033 (CCCSP), which aims to guide the country towards low-carbon, climate-resilient development and carbon neutrality by 2050.
Sophalleth said Cambodia is ready to work closely with Asean member states, development partners, investors, farmers and the private sector to advance the agenda.
He called on AIPA members, development partners and the private sector to jointly increase resource mobilisation and strengthen laws and policies that support green investment.
Such investment would serve as a key catalyst in helping Cambodia and the wider Asean region achieve their shared carbon-neutrality goals as planned, he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
