As Cambodia prepares to graduate from its least developed country (LDC) status, civil society organizations are calling for a robust framework to secure sustainable climate finance. During a recent national consultation, representatives from the NGO Forum on Cambodia and Oxfam warned that a potential decline in concessional support could leave the nation's most vulnerable populations ill-equipped to handle intensifying climate impacts like drought.

The consultation aimed to define Cambodia’s priorities for the upcoming 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), scheduled for November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye. Soung Saroeun, executive director of the NGO Forum on Cambodia, emphasized that while development is inevitable, the focus must remain on ensuring that future climate funding is accessible and does not impose heavy debt burdens. He highlighted three primary needs: climate-resilient infrastructure, support for climate-smart agriculture, and a governance environment that fosters collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society.

Oxfam Cambodia country director Phean Sophoan noted that while the country has set ambitious goals—including a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035—these targets should not be undermined by a loss of financial support. "COP31 must provide predictable grant-based financing that does not increase debt burdens," Sophoan stated, adding that graduation should represent a milestone for development rather than an increase in climate vulnerability.

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The urgency of the situation was underscored by testimonies from rural residents. Yem Channy from Stung Treng province reported that unpredictable weather and shifting rainfall patterns have devastated local food systems. Similarly, Khev Saron of Svay Rieng province described how prolonged droughts and limited irrigation have caused her annual agricultural income to plummet from as much as $2,000 to roughly $125, forcing many farmers into cycles of debt.

Beyond immediate financial aid, participants at the consultation advocated for a comprehensive approach to climate action, including the protection of vital freshwater ecosystems like the Mekong and Tonle Sap basins, the development of loss and damage mechanisms, and the promotion of gender-responsive climate policies.

Source: CamboJA News