H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment,
H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kingdom of Cambodia,
Distinguished Representatives of Line Ministries, Members of the Climate Change Technical Working Group,
Representatives of Development Partners, UN Agencies, NGOs, Civil Society, Academia, Private Sector, and Indigenous Peoples and Youth Organisations,
Distinguished Guests.

Good afternoon, Chum reap sour.

Launching the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2024–2033 is a key milestone in advancing the country’s climate agenda. I am pleased to deliver these remarks on behalf of both UNDP and UNICEF, reconfirming our shared commitment to Cambodia’s climate-resilient future for all its people.

UNDP coordinated the technical development of this Strategic Plan within the framework of the multi-year Cambodia Climate Change Alliance—Phase 3 (CCCA3). This flagship programme—funded by the European Union, Sweden, and UNDP—has been a cornerstone of Cambodia’s climate journey since 2009. Over the past 15 years, the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance has progressively helped build the country’s climate policy architecture, including:

• The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and their update in 2020,
• The Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality in 2021,
• The first and the second Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan (2014–2023 and 2024–2033).

The CCCA also laid the foundations for accelerated climate action, transparent progress tracking and accountability, and capacities in a whole-of-society approach that engaged ministries, public entities, universities, research institutions, and the private sector.

For the update of the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan (CCCSP) 2024–2033, UNDP and UNICEF complemented each other. UNICEF provided technical support for the consultation process and organised the inception and national consultation workshops. It also played a key role in ensuring that climate-resilient social services are integrated into the adaptation agenda, given that children and vulnerable communities are among the most affected by climate change.

Excellencies and distinguished participants,

This new Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2024- 2033 is more than a policy document—it is a shared roadmap toward Cambodia’s climate vision to “achieve carbon neutrality and climate resilience for an inclusive and sustainable development” by creating a national framework to reduce emissions, enhance resilience, and improve climate governance for societal, environmental, and economic well-being. Climate action is not optional for climate-vulnerable countries like Cambodia - it is a national necessity. It must be considered in every planning and funding decision at every level of Cambodian society.

The ambition of the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2024- 2033 will be realised through 19 strategic interventions that collectively address the need for greenhouse gas mitigation, robust adaptation capacity, and good governance, enabled and accelerated by digital transformation. I invite you to consult today's report and own these strategic interventions.

Excellencies and distinguished participants,

This launch comes at a pivotal moment. The Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2024- 2033 provides a good input to the ongoing NDC 3.0 process, led by the Ministry of Environment with technical assistance and coordination by UNDP, in partnership with other UN agencies and development partners. It is an opportunity to align climate ambition with national development priorities, building on key national policies, such as the Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1, the Circular Strategy for Environment 2023-2028, and the Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality. The Royal Government will submit the country’s NDC 3.0 to the UN Framework Convention CC by July 2025.

Excellencies, distinguished participants,

Allow me, in conclusion, to acknowledge the excellent collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, under the leadership of H.E. the Minister, his dedicated technical team, and our long-standing partner on climate action, the European Union. I look, Excellency Ambassador, for our partnership's renewed and re-energised future.  

Let us continue working together to implement this strategy for the people of Cambodia, our future generations, and our shared planet. This year, 2025, marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Yet, the world is not on track to meet the 1.5°C reduction target. Every action counts!

Thank you, Som Arkun.