The country programme is aligned with key national priorities and policies, particularly Vision 2050, Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1, 2024-2028, and the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). In designing the programme, the country office undertook a series of analytical exercises including futures analysis and strategic foresight in consultations with government counterparts, civil society, the private sector, United Nations organizations, youth representatives, and international development partners.

The human rights-based approach is embedded in the design of the new country programme and underpins its theory of change, which will be revisited throughout implementation. The overall intent is to leverage UNDP technical capabilities and convening power to steward domestic, regional, and global networks and resources, as well as advocate and broker knowledge for Cambodia’s Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation and Sustainable Development Goals acceleration. To achieve this, three transformational shifts were identified: The first shift is toward a more sustainable and green economic development model for accelerating inclusive growth, economic diversification, and human development. The second shift involves championing a just energy transition, climate action and nature-based solutions as the foundation for national wealth, well-being, and resilience to shocks. The third shift is strengthening institutions, civic space, and participation as enablers for inclusive growth and access to rights and equal opportunities for all while ensuring members of society can capitalize on the full potential of national digital transformation. All shifts require the transformational change of moving from development funding to financing. UNDP will prioritize interventions where comparative advantages, opportunities and partnerships converge.