• H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment

• H.E. Chuop Paris, Secretary of State, Ministry of Environment

• Mr Jo Scheuer, UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia  

• Representatives from Ministries and the Climate Change Technical Working Group

• Development Partners, UN Agencies, NGOs, academia and youth organisations

• Distinguished Guests

Good afternoon, Chum reap sour,

It is an honour to address you today at the closure of the final validation workshop for Cambodia’s 3rd Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0). It marks a pivotal moment in the kingdom’s climate journey, particularly that every fraction of a degree of warming matters in Cambodia, one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. This means that each increment of warming, even fractions of a degree, intensifies climate extremes, impacts, and risks, making small reductions in emissions crucial for human security and prosperity. 

On behalf of UNDP and the UN Country Team, I extend our sincere appreciation to H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth for his leadership and unwavering commitment throughout this process reflected in the dedicated work of the Ministry of Environment’s team, who led a colossal coordination effort involving over 20 government entities, the UN, and Development partners. 

I also want to acknowledge the tireless work of other line ministries, my UN fellows and the Development partners' teams. Your commitment has been instrumental in shaping Cambodia’s climate agenda for the next decade. This would not have been possible without your expertise, persistence, and spirit of cooperation.

Excellencies and distinguished participants,

We know the world is off track to meet the 1.5°C target. For a climate-vulnerable country like Cambodia, this means that without substantial adaptation and mitigation efforts, a GDP loss of approximately 9.8% by 2050 could result from the impacts of climate change on human health, productive sectors, and economic activities. However, collective commitments under the Paris Agreement could make a difference by reducing projected global warming by the end of the 21st century (from 3.7–4.8°C to 2.1–2.8°C). While this is far from sufficient, it demonstrates that common action and discipline in implementing the NDCs have the potential to alter the course of action. Yes, climate change is not a fatality!

Cambodia’s NDC3.0 is no exception. It provides the country with a window of opportunity to embed climate action at the heart of its national development. It is a roadmap that is ambitious yet realistic and inclusive, that promotes resilience, competitiveness, and equity. This roadmap could unlock climate finance and investment opportunities to accelerate national priorities and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, delivering co-benefits across poverty reduction, health, education, and gender equality.

As you have heard today, NDC 3.0 defines ambitious mitigation targets across five key sectors, aiming to reduce GHG emissions by 54% by 2035 as per the conditional scenario. Compared to business as usual, it represents a 12% increase in ambition over the previous NDC with a 2030 horizon. Key mitigation strategies include increasing the share of renewable energy, expanding electric mobility, promoting climate-smart agriculture, halving deforestation rates, and improving waste management. 

The NDC3.0 also expands the scope of adaptation, based on recommendations from the Global Stocktake (2023) and the Global Goal on Adaptation. This includes strategic priorities across Energy, Industry, Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (FOLU), Health, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (referred to as WASH), Infrastructure, Livelihoods, and Ecosystem Management, as well as Disaster and Climate Risk Management. New sectors were considered, namely, social protection, social services, child protection, and food systems. 

The development of Cambodia’s NDC 3.0 also followed the recommendations of the National Stocktake Exercise and best international practices. This expanded the focus beyond decarbonising and adaptation to create realistic and just transition pathways for each sector. Pathways that are supported by concrete, evidence-based and informed policies, and financing prospects.  These pathways provide clarity and a high level of certainty on future direction and priority areas, while identifying gaps, needs, and plans to address them. 

Excellencies and distinguished participants,

I am pleased to report that the NDC 3.0 development process followed a comprehensive and participatory approach, with proactive contributions throughout a wide range of consultations. This approach considered the nuanced needs and experiences of women, children, and youth, as well as Indigenous Peoples and Persons with Disabilities. It also involved the private sector, an important actor and partner in promoting national development. The process actively engaged over 650 stakeholders through 17 sectoral consultations and over 300 participants in four sub-national workshops. These were guided by the principles of Just Transition and Human Rights considerations, which are integrated across sectors to support Cambodia’s long-term vision for sustainable growth and carbon neutrality by 2050. Going forward, it is essential to continue engaging various socio-economic actors in the implementation of the NDC to ensure it adopts a whole-of-society approach, advancing both Cambodia’s climate and development goals.

However, ambition alone will not drive climate results. A costing exercise provided a “pricetag” for the NDC 3.0 and informed the associated financing strategy. The latter will be further refined during the coming months. UNDP will continue to support this exercise, in line with the ongoing work on the Cambodia National Financing Policy Framework, led by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. While defining financial needs, we must recognise the opportunities that come with investing in mitigation and adaptation. These investments not only promote environmental sustainability but also stimulate economic growth by creating new job opportunities, driving new markets, fostering innovation, enhancing resource efficiency and reducing long-term costs associated with climate and weather extremes. Moreover, they provide a chance to engage the entire society in a transformative shift toward a more sustainable and equitable future. On the other hand, we must also factor in the cost of climate inaction, which is substantial and encompasses both direct economic losses and broader societal impacts, including exacerbated inequalities, wasting resources, and immediate effects on people’s health.

Achieving the required scale of ambition will demand mobilising innovative financing, including climate finance, blended finance, and private sector investment. The new financial Collective Quantified Goal agreed at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2024, calls on developed countries to take the lead in mobilising at least $300 billion per year for investment in developing countries by 2035. Cambodia’s NDC3.0 requires an estimated total financing need of USD 33.34 billion for the period 2026–2035, with approximately USD 23.8 billion for mitigation and USD 9.4 billion for adaptation. I would like to specially recognise ministries that set unconditional targets (independent of international support), which account for 16% of the GHG emission reduction compared to Business as Usual. We must work together to unlock financing opportunities through policy de-risking, enabling regulatory environments, and strategic public-private partnerships that create win-win solutions for both climate action, business profits, and sustainable development. I urge all stakeholders to continue identifying concrete pathways to finance NDC measures, align incentives, and crowd in private capital to accelerate Cambodia’s climate transition. Climate finance is not a favour; it is an investment for business gains, global human security, and a safer future for all.

Excellencies and distinguished participants,

The success of NDC3.0 depends not only on what we commit to on paper but also on how we translate it into action on the ground. Climate action yields tangible benefits, creating jobs, generating investments, and fostering business opportunities. Let this validation workshop serve as a launchpad for joint action for a climate-resilient, prosperous and low-emission Cambodia, where no one is left behind.

Before concluding, allow me to share a personal note. This will be my final keynote as UNDP Resident Representative in Cambodia, as I will conclude my assignment on 7 July. It has been a privilege to serve in this role and to work alongside dedicated partners like you in advancing Cambodia’s journey toward a greener, more inclusive, and resilient future. I remain confident that Cambodia will continue to build on this momentum and make even greater progress on its sustainable and climate resilient development path.

Thank you again to all those who contributed to the development of the Cambodia NDC 3.0. Let us work together to create a sustainable and safer future!

Som Arkun