Kick-off meeting of DA12 Project “Interregional cooperation for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in Cambodia”

(Virtual participation)

Dr Ribaun Korm, Secretary-General of NC-ESCAP,

Mr Prak Angkeara, Deputy Director-General, General Department of Housing, MLUPC,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Colleagues and friends,

I am pleased to deliver the opening remarks to kick off the project “interregional cooperation for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in Cambodia”, supported by ESCAP and UN-Habitat.

It could not be more timely.

Cambodia has the fastest urbanization rates in Southeast Asia.

It has ambitious goals to accelerate growth over the coming decades, to emerge as an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050, while maintaining peace and stability.

However, much like most of the Asian and the Pacific countries, the country’s progress towards implementation of SDGs has not been fast enough.

Rapid urbanization makes planning, financing and building cities’ resilience challenging.

The COVID-19 pandemic has added unprecedented challenges for cities, including pressure on their health care, education and safety systems, and disproportionally affected vulnerable groups.  This is particularly demonstrated when infrastructure and services are not centered on people’s needs and fulfilling their human rights.

COVID has put a harsh spotlight on the urgency to address inequalities and sustainable development challenges in cities.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Cities have an increasingly important role as drivers for sustainable development.

By leveraging cities as innovation hubs and creative solutions, we can build back a more just, equitable, and greener recovery to improve the quality of lives for all.

During my last visit to Battambang – the pilot city of this project – I noticed the creativity and energy of the city.

I am delighted to see that this project will assist the Royal Government of Cambodia in accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda and support Cambodia’s vision through building capacities in cross-sectoral and vertical governance to advance the two important agendas. 

Projects of this nature bring an opportunity to support some of the key government reforms in delivering coherent policies across different sectors and improving governance capacity to deliver effectively at national and local levels.

The project also incorporates elements to assist the government in building urban preparedness for the pandemic and takes advantage of the lessons learned during the COVID-19 outbreak to reevaluate and revise its national and local urban plans to better respond to the similar health crisis in the future.

Colleagues and friends,

The United Nations stands ready to support the urbanization sector in Cambodia.

In fact, Cambodia is one of two countries in the Asia-Pacific (along with Bangladesh) with a dedicated pillar for urbanization under the current UNDAF 2019-2023. Last year, we have also convened the first national urban forum, which brought together diverse stakeholders to deepen awareness and stimulate innovations in addressing urbanization challenges.

The UN Country Team focuses on empowering and protecting marginalized and vulnerable groups, urban planning and management, and policy development for guided urban development.

We know that sustainable cities will not arise organically. It requires all hands on deck.

To achieve sustainable urban development, we need a more inclusive and participatory approach.

Partnering with civil society and community-based organization to include the voices of the most marginalized and make sure their rights are respected is crucial.

In closing, let me reiterate that solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges — from the pandemic to climate adaptation to equity and inclusion — start in cities to make sure that no one is left behind.

Let us build back more inclusive, equal, resilient and sustainable societies together.

Thank you.