“Together Actions for SDGs”

• Excellency Eang Sophallet, Minister of Environment
• Excellency Atsushi Ueno, the Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia
• Mr Tsuboya Masayuki, Representative of Aeon Mall Cambodia
• Distinguished guests
• Ladies and gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure that I stand before you today as the interim UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia to support the opening of "Together Actions for SDGs."

This is a remarkable collaborative effort between the United Nations in Cambodia and Aeon Mall Cambodia and serves as a rallying cry for all communities in Cambodia, raising awareness and promoting actions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Over the next three days, the UN and AEON Mall Cambodia will be joined by representatives from the government, private sector, academia, and civil society to discuss, debate and imagine what it will take to achieve the SDGs in Cambodia. And most importantly, these, discussions will take place here with you, the people in Cambodia, and give you the opportunity to engage on the issues impacting your lives.  

The daily panel discussions are intended to focus on issues that affect us all, and to chart a course towards creating a cleaner and stronger, more fair and more prosperous future for all.

We are hoping to pose the big questions:

• How can we combat climate change and plastic pollution and ensure a safe and clean environment for future generations?
• How can we build an inclusive economy that is sustainable and ensures opportunity for all people in Cambodia?
• How can we make sure every family is able to put nutritious food on the table?
• How can we protect and strengthen the equal rights and opportunities of our daughters, our sisters and our mothers?
• And finally – and I suspect that this one will resonate with everyone most immediately – how can we address traffic congestion among the rapid urbanization within Cambodia?

The idea of the next three days is not only to ask these questions of our panelists, but also to ask the participants. By exploring these issues in depth, we hope to identify meaningful solutions and inspire concrete actions that can contribute to the well-being and sustainable future of Cambodia.

I would like to express my gratitude to Aeon Mall Cambodia for their support in promoting the realization of a sustainable society. The achievement of the SDGs will not happen by government action alone, and by placing these goals front and centre here today, Aeon is acknowledging our collective responsibility to our planet and future generations.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen

“Together Actions for SDGs” is a shining example of how businesses can leverage their platform and their reach to actively contribute to the sustainable development agenda.

And we must remember – achieving that agenda is not about dollars and data – it is about people. Better opportunities, brighter futures, stronger communities.

This partnership showcases how the private sector can play a vital role in achieving those goals.

During this morning, AEON Mall Cambodia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Cambodia signed a memorandum of understanding whereby they commit to work together to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and foster a green and circular economy in Cambodia.

This MoU demonstrates how businesses can contribute to sustainable development by integrating the principles of the SDGs into their operations.

Across the next three days, this joint commitment is intended to provide a platform that brings together individuals, businesses, and communities, enabling them to actively participate in activities that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

In this collaborative space, we aim to create an environment where connections strengthen, and ideas and actions flourish. It is through such collective effort that we can bring about lasting change and pave the way for a sustainable future for all.

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

We are a little over six years away from the timeline objective set by the SDGs. There has been progress on many of the goals, but there is much work yet to be done.

This event seeks to raise awareness of both the work that has been achieved and the journey that is ahead of us.  

By leveraging the knowledge and expertise present in this space, we can broaden our understanding and focus our actions towards accomplishing the SDGs and establishing Cambodia as a shining example of sustainable development.

I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you for joining with us today and over the days to come.

Your participation reflects your commitment to the SDGs and your dedication to creating a better future for all people in Cambodia.

I encourage you to actively engage in the panel discussions, learn from one another, and forge partnerships that will lead to meaningful action.

It is together, as a united front, that we can overcome the obstacles on our path and build a sustainable and prosperous Cambodia.

Thank you.