Phnom Penh, 18 September 2025: The Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) today officially launched the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), the country’s new climate action plan under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This marks a significant milestone in the country’s climate ambition and commitment. 

The event, held at the Ministry of Environment, was presided over by H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment and the Chair of the NCSD, together with H.E. DRIESMANS Igor, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, H.E Mr. Jo Scheuer, UN Resident coordinator and Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in Cambodia. The launch brought together around 250 participants including the government officials from ministries/institutions, members of the Climate Change Technical Working Group (CCTWG), development partners, UN agencies, academia, civil society organizations, and youth representatives.

Cambodia’s NDC 3.0 is the result of an extensive, inclusive, and consultative process involving line ministries, civil society, the private sector, academia, indigenous peoples, youth organizations, and development partners, bringing all stakeholders together to align the country's climate action priorities ahead of the upcoming COP30 in Brazil, from 10-21 November 2025.

In his address at the event, H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth said, “Cambodia’s NDC3.0 is ambitious, implementable, and inclusive, reflecting enhanced national ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen resilience to climate change, and mobilize financing for sustainable development. It strongly aligns the global goal of limiting temperature to 1.5°C and the key national frameworks, including the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I, the Circular Strategy on Environment 2023-2028, and the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2024–2033.”

He continued, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all ministries and institutions, UN agencies, development partners, NGOs and civil society that actively contributed to the development Cambodia’s update climate change response measures.”

Under the leadership of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth reaffirmed that Cambodia remains committed to contributing to the global climate actions under Paris Agreement. “The successful implementation of Cambodia’s NDC 3.0 depends upon the participation of all sectors and stakeholders, particularly sustained international collaboration and support. I called on global partners to scale up assistance through climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building in line with the Paris Agreement.”

H.E. DRIESMANS Igor, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, said, “Today's official launch of Cambodia's NDC3.0 is a testament to our shared commitment and collaboration in tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions. Through initiatives like the EU's Global Gateway strategy and investment, we can leverage our combined strengths and resources, to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for Cambodia and beyond.”

The Ambassador emphasized that by focusing on innovative climate finance solutions and fostering public-private partnerships, the EU aims to transform Cambodia's climate ambitions into tangible actions, ensuring the nation’s path toward low-carbon growth is both impactful and achievable.

Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative in Cambodia, commended the tireless and collaborative efforts of many individuals across line ministries, technical departments, and development partner teams in delivering a transformative and actionable national climate commitment.

"The successful launch of Cambodia’s NDC 3.0 has shown the critical role the entire UN-wide system can offer in creating convergence around critical issue areas that require both coordinated and integrated efforts towards 2030 Agenda acceleration. Cambodia’s NDC 3.0 now presents a unique opportunity to gear into action transition pathways that unlock national development potential and chart a just and equitable path to net zero. There is undoubtedly a need to wire in and tap into the expertise and financing capabilities of a number of actors outside the UN. Cambodia, in order to meet its scale-up implementation of climate action on the ground, will require access to and alignment of public, private, international, and national finance towards NDCs, as well as technology and capacity building to support its green transition. We at the UN remain committed to supporting the Royal Government of Cambodia in a truly inclusive and mission oriented economic transformation." 

About Cambodia’s NDC 3.0: The Royal Government of Cambodia has successfully submitted the Cambodia’s NDC 3.0 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on 8 August 2025.

Cambodia’s NDC 3.0, building upon the country’s climate commitments and strategies, raises ambition with stronger greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and enhanced climate adaptation measures aligned with national priorities and the 1.5°C target under the Paris Agreement. It aims for up to a 55% emissions reduction, equivalent to approximately 73.7 MtCO₂e by 2035 under a conditional scenario, focusing on the Energy (including transport, manufacturing, and construction), Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU), Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU), and Waste sectors.

Download NDC 3.0 

For more information: 

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

H.E Sum Thy, 
Director General of Policy and Strategy, 
Ministry of Environment 
Tel: (855) 16 907 764
Email: sum.thy@moe.gov.kh