Siem Reap, 2-3 June 2026 – Cambodia launched the “Advancing Early Warning for All" Project to strengthen early warning systems and help communities better prepare for climate- and weather-related disasters. The initiative is being implemented by the Royal Government of Cambodia — led by the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), the Ministry of Environment (MoE), and the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MoRAM) — in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). 

The initiative in Cambodia brings together key national and international agencies to ensure a coherent and integrated approach. In Cambodia, the initiative is advanced through close collaboration between the globally mandated Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) partners—UNDRR, ITU and IFRC—and supported by UNDP, World Food Programme (WFP), Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), People in Need (PIN) and Action Aid.

Climate change poses growing risks to the lives and livelihoods of Cambodia’s approximately 17 million people. According to the 2020 Global Climate Risk Index, the country ranks among the world's most climate-risk-prone countries, placing 12th globally. Without stronger resilience and adaptation measures, climate change could reduce national GDP by up to 10 percent by 2050. These risks are compounded by underlying social and economic vulnerabilities, gaps in early warning and preparedness systems, and limited adaptive capacity, particularly for rural communities, women, children, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.

The five-year “Advancing Early Warning for All" Project (2026-2030) will support the Royal Government of Cambodia in strengthening an end-to-end, multi-hazard early warning system for storms, floods, droughts, and lightning events. Cambodia is one of seven countries participating in the initiative — alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Chad, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji and Somalia — as part of the United Nations Secretary-General’s global push to ensure everyone is protected by effective early warning systems by 2027.

By enhancing hazard monitoring, forecasting, warning communication, and preparedness, the project aims to reduce loss of lives, livelihoods, and assets, particularly in communities most vulnerable to climate-related disasters. The initiative provides a critical platform to strengthen integration across institutions and partners, align investments, and maximize complementarities. This integrated approach helps ensure that early warning systems are delivered in a more coherent, efficient and people-centered manner, reaching those most at risk.

In November 2025, the Royal Government of Cambodia launched the National EW4ALL Roadmap to strengthen early warning systems nationwide. The “Advancing Early Warning for All" Project will help put this roadmap into action by improving how early warnings are generated, communicated and used to support disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. The project will be implemented across four high-risk provinces – Ratanakiri, Kratie, Stung Treng, and Banteay Meanchey – bringing together government agencies, local communities, and technical partners to strengthen preparedness and resilience.

H.E. Kun Kim, Senior Minister in Charge of Special Missions and First Vice President of NCDM, said, “The Royal Government of Cambodia acknowledges that strengthening the EW4ALL system is vital to protecting people’s lives, livelihoods, and national development achievements from increasing climate risks and disasters. As the lead institution for the implementation of the EW4ALL roadmap, NCDM is committed to strengthening collaboration among ministries, subnational administrations, and other stakeholders to establish an effective multi-hazard early warning system. Through close collaboration with UNDP and other stakeholders, the EW4ALL initiative will strengthen preparedness and anticipatory action and help ensure that vulnerable groups receive timely information. This will contribute to building a safer and more resilient Cambodia.”

Hemant Mandal, the Green Climate Fund's Regional Director for Asia Pacific, said, “Across Cambodia, communities are facing growing risks from floods, droughts, and shifting rainfall patterns that affect livelihoods and food security. Early warning systems are therefore essential for protecting lives, livelihoods, and development gains. Through the Early Warnings for All project, the Green Climate Fund will help to strengthen institutions and information systems so that people can anticipate climate risks and respond before disaster strikes. This is an important step toward building practical, country-driven resilience as climate pressures intensify.”

H.E Dr. Eang Sohalleth, Minister of Environment, said, “Cambodia is taking a significant step forward in strengthening climate resilience through the launch of the ‘Advancing Early Warning for All (EW4All)’ Project. The initiative supports the Royal Government of Cambodia's commitment to protecting lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems from the increasing impacts of climate-related disasters. The Royal Government of Cambodia has adopted a comprehensive policy framework that includes the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2024–2033, the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) submitted in 2025, and the Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality 2050. As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of floods, droughts, storms, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events, timely and reliable early warning systems are essential to ensure that vulnerable communities can anticipate, prepare for, and respond effectively to these hazards.”

Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in Cambodia, said, “Despite emerging signals of a dispersed and fragmented Official Development Assistance, UNDP is offering its agency to coalesce a wide range of partners, making the EW4All initiative a concrete model of a multilateral operational platform that can be designed to effectively deliver early warning systems with a strong intent to integrate efforts of government, communities, and civil society. Through the EW4All initiative, UNDP will focus on maximizing investments of national institutions and partners to ensure that timely, accurate, and actionable early warnings reach every person in Cambodia. In a world of compound crises, protecting livelihoods, and building resilience for those most at risk remain key to UN-wide commitment to advancing inclusive, people-centered systems and scaling innovative solutions to help Cambodia better anticipate and respond to climate and disaster risks.” 

H.E. Prof. Dr. OEURNG Chantha, Under Secretary of State of MoRAM, highlighted that, “Strengthening hydromet services is at the core of building an effective early warning system in Cambodia. MoWRAM is committed to enhancing the collection, analysis, and dissemination of weather and climate information to support timely and accurate forecasts. Through the Early Warnings for All initiative, and in close partnership with UNDP and other stakeholders, we are working to modernize observation networks, improve forecasting capabilities and ensure that reliable early warnings reach communities across the four target provinces. This will enable better preparedness, reduce risks, and support climate-resilient development for Cambodia.”

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Chhunmuoy Ath, Communications Analyst, UNDP Cambodia at communications.kh@undp.org

Kate Jean Smith, Communications Specialist, Climate Change Adaptation, UNDP Headquarters, at kate.smith@undp.org

UNDP is the United Nations’ global development network advocating for change and connecting governments, private sector and civil society to knowledge, experience, and resources to end the injustice of poverty and inequality, accelerate inclusive growth, strengthen good governance and peace, and promote nature-based solutions and climate resilience. Present in over 170 countries and territories, we assist nations to implement their solutions for accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the people, the planet, and their prosperity. Learn more at https://www.undp.org/cambodia or follow us at @UNDPCambodia.