As one of the nations most exposed to the impact of climate change, Cambodia has demonstrated its determination and readiness to join the international community to effectively address this pressing global issue.

The determination was made as the Ministry of Environment, the ASEAN Secretariat and Germany's international development agency GIZ co-hosted the 3rd ASEAN Partnership Meeting – ahead of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) -- on May 25.

The meeting was chaired by Hak Mao, director of the ministry’s climate change department, and Ahmad Farid Mohammed, chairman of the ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC). The meeting was attended by representatives of the three co-organisers, as well as several development partners.

Mao said the ministry was proud to co-host this regional meeting to highlight the position of Cambodia and allow the ASEAN member countries to share policies and priority action plans to address climate change efficiently and effectively, particularly ahead of the upcoming COP28 meeting, scheduled for November 23 in Dubai.

“Cambodia, as one of the countries that is most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, is ready to join the international community in addressing this global issue. We have updated our report on national contributions to the implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate change, carbon-neutral long-term development strategies and other relevant strategies,” he continued.

At the COP27 Climate Conference, held in Egypt in November last year, Cambodia, along with several international partners, agreed to sign an agreement to sell 15 million tonnes of carbon credits in order to reduce emissions and end deforestation in Cambodia's REDD+ project.

The REDD+ Framework project was established by the UN Conference to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. It introduces and funds conservation mechanisms, sustainable forest management and the promotion of forest carbon stocks in developing countries.