Phnom Penh, 31 August 2026 — The Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cambodia on 31 August convened a bilateral Partnership Dialogue reaffirming their longstanding strategic partnership, and finetuning priorities of a total portfolio of 20 projects and initiatives currently under implementation worth approximately USD 47 million, supporting the implementation of the Environmental Diplomacy Strategy for Cambodia’s priorities on climate, nature and circular economy. 

The Partnership Dialogue brought together the senior leadership and technical teams from the MoE and UNDP to assess progress, strengthen coordination across sectors and reinvigorate priorities for the next phase of cooperation. Discussions focused on how the MOE/UNDP joint portfolio can further accelerate Cambodia’s national priorities with bankable investments, financing and implementation, while ensuring that cooperation delivers sustainable results for people, communities and the environment.

H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, said: “This first-of-its-kind Partnership Dialogue demonstrates the accountability and strategic focus we expect from our development cooperation, where UNDP is a close partner of the Ministry of Environment. He added that UNDP stronger partnership with MoE emerges as an accountable one with a comprehensive strategy to unlock climate finance and accelerating the green transition from policy to action for sustainable environmental management, natural resource management, climate change and sustainable development.”

UNDP Country Programme Document 2024-2028 aligns with Cambodia’s key environmental and climate priorities under the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I, the Circular Strategy on Environment 2023–2028, the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2024–2033, and Cambodia’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0). UNDP's portfolio focuses on climate action, nature-based solutions, circular economy approaches, and sustainable natural resource management to support resilient growth, human security and sustainable livelihoods.

From partnership to measurable results 

The review, which covered 2025 and 2026, highlighted key results from more than 20 projects and initiatives currently ongoing, with approximately USD 47 million under implementation in support of Cambodia’s environmental and climate priorities. This includes around USD 40 million finalised over the past 12 months. The resources were sourced from a variety of global funds including the Global Environment Facility, Least Developed Countries Fund, Green Climate Fund, and also from bilateral donors (such as Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Czech Republic), private sector (such as The Coca Cola Foundation and World Economic Forum) and through UNDP’s own core resources. This support has spanned policy development, technical assistance, financing and implementation across key areas of Cambodia’s environmental and climate agenda, including:

• Ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation, including restoration activities and support for native seedling production; 
• Implementation support to the Environmental Circular Strategy, Cambodia’s NDC 3.0, Environmental Diplomacy Strategy and ongoing technical support to accelerate implementation as well as the development of a comprehensive Financing Strategy for the NDC; 
• Advancing the Plastic Action Roadmap and policy frameworks on single-use plastics and extended producer responsibility; 
• Advancing REDD+ implementation and related financing opportunities; and 
• Supporting climate adaptation and resilience, including adaptation-based investment planning and Early Warnings for All. 

Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in Cambodia, said: “In the current architecture of Development Cooperation, it was important for us to assess the progress of multilateral cooperation and render account to the Ministry of UNDP's work. The co-design of initiatives with the MoE in advancing Cambodia’s environmental priorities remains essential. As we keep building integration and acceleration within our portfolio of support, we have come to the joint realization that an operational platform on key thematic areas is possible and available to Development Partners, either with natural resource management and conservation, circular economy solutions, climate change action, disaster risk reduction or resilience. We are here to support Cambodia’s priorities and help the MoE mobilise resources from development partners and the international community, while leveraging multilateral partnerships to bring together technical expertise, financing, innovation and implementation.”

Next steps from the partnership dialogue

The dialogue set out three areas for the next phase of cooperation, with the Ministry and UNDP working more closely across projects and initiatives around common national priorities:

• Investment and resource mobilisation: Developing bankable investments and working towards an engagement platform to bring together different sources of financing and connect resources with practical solutions for communities, including ecotourism, forest protection, sustainable livelihoods and other nature-based initiatives. 
• Climate, nature and sustainable development: Advancing cooperation on ecosystem restoration and biodiversity, Environmental Diplomacy Strategy, climate action and NDC 3.0 implementation, climate adaptation and resilience, circular economy and waste management, and climate and nature finance. 
• Engaging nationwide local communities in Climate Action: Amplify community voices and promote positive environmental action, while exploring grassroot innovation and solutions to improve income generations, sustainable impact and knowledge sharing.

Mr. Gaveglia added: “UNDP is ultimately driven together with other UN agencies by the principle of solidarity at the United Nations charter guided by all member states, which at its core value recognising that global challenges require collective action, mutual responsibility, and international cooperation in the development pillar. Our work remains therefore solely focused on the interests and well-being of the people of Cambodia in balance with its nature.” 

H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth concluded: “Our partnership should continue to be driven by Cambodia’s national priorities, while ensuring that UNDP’s technical expertise and international partnerships are translated into tangible benefits for Cambodian people and communities. MoE look forward to strengthening our partnership with UNDP, mobilising greater resources and turning Cambodia’s environmental and climate commitments into concrete investments and lasting results for people, nature and future generations.”

For media inquiries, please contact:

MOE: H.E Sum Thy, Director General of Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Environment at sum.thy@moe.gov.kh 

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