At the first National Steering Committee meeting on 20 June, in Phnom Penh, and under the chairmanship of H.E. San Vanty, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment, the Committee Members pinpointed the priority work streams for 2024-2025: improving government technical skills in economic foresight and fiscal policy, and advancing a circular economy by reducing single-use plastics and applying 4R principles in the garment industry. On this occasion, PAGE also presented a summary brief outlining five priorities that serves as a roadmap for policymakers and stakeholders to identify the obstacles and opportunities for fostering a green economic transition in Cambodia. The brief was developed based on the last year’s policy scoping study conducted in collaboration with the Cambodia Development Resource Institute.
20 June 2024
PAGE Cambodia sets the priorities for 2024-2025 fostering a green economic transition
First National Steering Committee
Chaired by H.E. San Vanty, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment, the Committee decided to focus on two priority work streams for 2024-2025, which are complementary and are expected to have a significant impact on Cambodia’s green economic transition efforts:
- Enhancing the Government’s technical capacity in economic foresight and fiscal policy.
- Promoting a circular economy with a focus on reducing single-use plastics and implementing the 4R principles within the garment industry.
The first workstream supports policymakers in using data to make informed decisions and in systematically assessing the economic, social, and environmental impacts of fiscal and economic decisions. Additionally, integrated planning, modeling, and sustainable budgeting can help the Cambodian Government optimise resources, attract new financing, and align with development priorities. Eventually, aligning budget and planning with Cambodia SDGs can transform sectors by promoting green and inclusive economic opportunities while attracting private sector investments.
The second workstream aims to decarbonize the garment sector by reducing carbon emissions through technological innovation, aligning with the UNFCCC Fashion Charter principles. It focuses on reducing fabric waste, promoting circular fashion, and supporting the government’s target to reduce plastic use and promote the 4R principles as part of the Circular Strategy on Environment 2023-2028.
The National Steering Committee meeting included representatives of the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) Cambodia, along with key government partners such as the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, National Bank of Cambodia, Council for Development of Cambodia/Cambodia Investment Board, and Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Setting Priorities
During the First PAGE National Steering Committee in Cambodia, PAGE also presented a summary brief outlining five priorities that serves as a roadmap for policymakers and stakeholders to identify the obstacles and opportunities for fostering a green economic transition in Cambodia:
- Unlocking private and public finance
- More evidence on different growth pathways
- Integrating circular economy principles in Cambodia’s manufacturing sector
- Prioritize skills development for jobs creation
- Leaving no one behind
The brief was developed based on the last year’s policy scoping study conducted by the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) and PAGE. The study aimed at identifying the obstacles and opportunities for fostering a green and inclusive economy in Cambodia.
Cambodia Vision 2050
