Phnom penh: Minister of Commerce H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul has proposed five key measures to ensure the effective adoption of the circular economy in Cambodia, aligning it with international environmental regulations and green innovation frameworks, including the ASEAN Green Economy, European Environmental Standards, the EU Green Deal, and Certificates of Origin across supply chains.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, she made the recommendations while co-chairing the Cambodia Circular Economy Forum on Sept. 10 at Sun and Moon Riverside Hotel in Phnom Penh, alongside Minister of Environment H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth and Mr. Christof Weigelmeier, Charg© d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Cambodia. The forum, held under the theme 'Roadmap to a Clean, Green, and Sustainable Cambodia', was co-organised by the Ministry of Environment and GIZ Cambodia.
First, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul encouraged Cambodian businesses to adopt sustainable production models, including Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks. She stressed that for decades, the global economy has relied on a linear model of 'Take-Make-Consume-Throw Away', which has driven economic growth but resulted in high environmental costs, including resource depletion, mounting waste, and accelerating climate change. She urged unity among all stakeholders to move toward more sustainable approaches.
Second, the Minister called for the full implementation of Cambodia's Circular Strategy, focusing on waste reduction, recycling, and resource efficiency in production, services, and agriculture.
Third, she underlined the need for clear frameworks to promote the responsible use of raw materials from sustainable sources. This includes both backward linkages such as renewable energy (e.g., wind power) and forward linkages such as green steel and fertiliser production within global supply chains.
Fourth, the Minister urged greater adoption of digital technologies such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and other digital tools to enhance transparency, efficiency, and traceability in trade and supply chains.
Finally, H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul called on all stakeholders to actively contribute to building a sustainable ecosystem for green entrepreneurship and investment. She encouraged businesses to leverage the Royal Government's policies, incentives, and support mechanisms to drive sustainable trade and development. She reaffirmed the Ministry of Commerce's readiness to provide full facilitation to development partners to advance Cambodia's clean, green, and sustainable socio-economic growth.
The Cambodia Circular Economy Forum gathered representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the German Embassy, GIZ, other ministries and institutions, development partners, and the private sector.