Phnom Penh, 28 June 2021 – the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD), Ministry of Environment (MoE), with support from Sweden, Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched the National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan, as well as a platform to engage the private sector in the transition towards a circular economy.

Cambodia’s growing economy and population have led to a surge in the use of materials and energy. Similar to other countries, this has created new challenges in sustainably managing natural resources, environment, energy and waste.

In the words of the H.E. Say Samal, Chair of the National Council for Sustainable Development and Minister of Environment, “the Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan aim to create a win-win solution to the present challenges. Instead of simply extracting, consuming, and disposing materials, the Strategy seeks to close the loop of the entire value chain and maintain the value of materials for as long as possible.”

“The circular economy has a strong potential to spark positive social and environmental change and to create new economic values and diversified employment opportunities. It can guide sustainable development pathways for countries at all income levels, including Cambodia,” commented Nick Beresford, Resident Representative of UNDP Cambodia.

H.E. Björn Häggmark, Sweden’s Ambassador to Cambodia, further emphasized that “to make the vision for a circular economy requires leadership from the government and active involvement of the private sector, households, individuals and all other stakeholders.”

In recognition of the key role of the private sector to accelerate the transition to the circular economy, a private sector platform to share information on implementable measures and actions was introduced along with the new strategy.

“Sharing knowledge of best business practices is a crucial initial step towards creating a circular economy. Such knowledge will enable other industry players to use and replicate best circular economy measures and accelerate the industry-wide transitions,” said H.E. Mikami Masahiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

H.E. Say Samal highlighted the importance of these efforts, concluding that “an effective implementation of the Circular Economy Strategy will ensure a green, clean and safe future for all in Cambodia.”

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For media inquiries, please contact:

• Mr. Meng Eang Taing, Director of Department of Green Economy, NCSD at mengeangtaing@gmail.com
• Mr. Eng Mengey, Communications and Promotion Officer, Embassy of Sweden at mengey.eng@gov.se
• Mr. Toshikazu Tokioka, The First Secretary, Embassy of Japan, toshikazu.tokioka@mofa.go.jp
• Mr. Samruol Im, Head of Communications, UNDP Cambodia at samruol.im@undp.org

Press Release (Khmer): https://www.kh.undp.org/content/cambodia/km/home/_-news-centre/_-press-release/2021/_--_-.html