As part of Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Day 2024, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) hosted a panel discussion on 11 November in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to raise awareness among women entrepreneurs about the green economy. The focus was on the challenges and opportunities of integrating eco-friendly practices into their operations. On this occasion, Mr. Sok Narin, UNIDO Country Representative, presented the findings of PAGE scoping study on Cambodia and underscored PAGE support to the country in greening its industry.
12 November 2024
Cambodia is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development by empowering women in the green economy
First step towards green economy
The panel discussion titled “First step towards green economy. What is a green economy?” was moderated by H.E. Hang Chuon Narita, council member of Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA). Panelists included H.E. Lay Navinn, Secretary of State from Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), Ms. Nguon Somaly, Director General, Institute of Digital Governance, Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology, and Mr. Sok Narin, Country Representative, UNIDO Cambodia.
Mr. Sok Narin emphasized the scoping study conducted by PAGE, which revealed that Cambodia’s material footprint, encompassing the consumption of imported goods, has increased by 386% from 1990 to 2022. This growth has significantly outpaced the nation’s GDP increase. This finding underscores the necessity for industries and enterprises to enhance resource efficiency and adopt circular economy models to remain competitive in a market increasingly oriented toward low-carbon and environmentally sustainable products.
In response, Sok Narin explained that PAGE through UNIDO will support the garment industry and the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector in their transition to more sustainable business practices. This support will involve the promotion of circular economy principles, the use of sustainable packaging materials, and the implementation of resource- and energy-efficient practices. Collectively, these initiatives aim to enhance competitiveness, attract green investments, improve market access, create green jobs, and cultivate the development of in-demand green skills.
There is a remarkable increase in understanding the importance of green business among MSMEs. However, they still need further supports including capacity development, knowledge sharing and access to green technologies. And technical support to sustain green business practices in order to remain competitive.
Sok Narin, UNIDO Country Representative, Cambodia
Women’s entrepreurship
Furthermore the Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Day 2024 honored women entrepreneurs for their contributions to the green economy through decarbonization technologies and sustainable practices, highlighting community engagement.
The event featured various activities, including product exhibitions and talks aimed at promoting gender empowerment and women in green business, and fostered connections between major entrepreneurs, business partners, and government institutions in Cambodia. The event emphasizes economic, social, and cultural development with attention to environmental impact and social health.
Minister Hem Vanndy presided this event, jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), theMinistry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA), and the Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Around 200 participants, particularly from business sector, joined this event.
He noted women’s growing contribution to Cambodia’s business landscape, particularly in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “Promoting women’s entrepreneurship requires combined efforts of all stakeholders to integrate their businesses into regional and global value chains, harness local resources, and adopt new technologies,” Minister Vanndy said.
Women entrepreneurs lead 69.2% of Cambodia’s economic units, according to the Ministry of Planning’s 2022 census. With Cambodia’s economy expected to grow around 6% in 2024—driven by sectors like garment exports, non-garment manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and trade—Minister Vanndy stressed that women-led businesses are crucial to sustaining this momentum.
Addressing attendees at the event, Minister Vanndy encouraged SMEs to formalize their businesses, emphasizing that doing so would enhance their ability to access support, contribute to the government’s targeted policymaking, and strengthen their long-term business resilience and growth.
PAGE in Cambodia
Cambodia joined PAGE as a new partner country in 2022. UNITAR acts as the main coordinating agency for the PAGE project in Cambodia. The main Government counterpart is the Department for Green Economy at the Ministry of Environment, in its capacity as the General Secretariat of the National Council for Sustainable Development.
The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) has grown into a prominent UN inter-agency programme, including UNEP, UNDP, ILO, UNIDO and UNITAR, that aims to transform economies into drivers of sustainability by supporting partner countries in reframing economic policies and practices around sustainability.
sources: PAGE, MISTI