Prime Minister, UN representatives in Cambodia discuss progress and opportunities for sustainable development

This dialogue aimed to discuss key sustainable development issues, highlighted within the 5-year UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), to accelerate the implementation of the Cambodia Sustainable Development Goals (CSDGs).

“In the next five years, the UN will strategically support national development priorities, as articulated in the Rectangular Strategy IV, the draft National Strategic Development Plan 2019-2023 and the Cambodia SDG Framework,” Ms. Tamesis mentioned during her remarks.

This year, the dialogue focused on three main topics – social protection, data for development and the progress on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):

• Effective social protection programmes are proven to alleviate the financial burden of the poor; help vulnerable families access social services and improve their overall well-being; and reduce the vulnerabilities and protect people from any shocks. During the dialogue, the two sides discussed the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks, multi-sectoral coordination, joint efforts to support the most vulnerable populations in benefiting from social protection programmes, and the financial investment required to support the implementation of National Social Protection Policy Framework (2016- 2025).
• Quality data for development can empower national authorities to access and use reliable, timely and disaggregated data. The UN and the Royal Government are working to ensure that the principle of ‘Leaving No One Behind’ is consistently embodied in the national development plans so that they are inclusive and equitable. They explored opportunities and required investments to strengthen the national statistical system to track national and SDG targets.
• The Royal Government is preparing for the Voluntary National Review (VNR) of Cambodia’s SDG implementation plans and progress during the July session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York. The VNR is a great opportunity to present the country’s achievements and development success story to the wider world – both to peer countries and donors.

“Perhaps in moving forward, high priority attention will be needed to balance economic growth with safeguarding the natural environment, protecting human rights and promoting social goals, to ensure that the poor are protected from shocks, that prosperity is equitably shared, and that future generations also benefit from today’s decisions on how resources are managed,” Ms. Tamesis added.

Following the dialogue, the new UNDAF – 2019 to 2023 – was co-signed by Ms. Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator and H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The new UNDAF focuses on five development priorities: 1) Expanding social opportunities; 2) Expanding economic opportunities; 3) Promoting sustainable living; 4) Strengthening participation and accountability; and 5) Managing urbanization.

“Under the new UNDAF, the UN provides financial and technical support to the Royal Government to develop and implement plans, policies and frameworks to help prioritize issues affecting the most vulnerable,” said Ms. Tamesis.

About the United Nations in Cambodia: The United Nations (UN) in Cambodia works to support peace, poverty eradication and human rights in the country. The UN is committed to enhancing development effectiveness in support of the priorities, plans and programs of the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), civil society and other relevant partners.