National Consultation Charts Cambodia’s Roadmap for COP31

Cambodia is calling for accessible and predictable climate finance, stronger support for adaptation and resilience, and a just transition that leaves no one behind as the country prepares for the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Antalya, Türkiye from November 09 to 20, 2026.

These priorities were highlighted during a national preparatory consultation convened by the NGO Forum on Cambodia (NGOF) on 23 September 2026 in Phnom Penh, in partnership with Oxfam, bringing together approximately 80 representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations, community, people with disabilities, indigenous people, and youth groups, academia, the private sector, United Nations agencies, and development partners.

The consultation aimed to ensure that Cambodia enters COP31 with a coordinated, inclusive, and evidence-based position that reflects national development priorities and the realities faced by climate-vulnerable communities.

As climate impacts continue to intensify across Cambodia and around the world, participants emphasized that international climate negotiations must deliver practical solutions that enable developing countries to pursue ambitious climate action while safeguarding livelihoods, food security, and economic development. Particular attention was given to Cambodia's upcoming graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, full support of the Cambodia’s NDC3.0 implementation, and the importance of maintaining access to concessional climate finance and technical support during the transition period.

The consultation featured two complementary sessions. The morning session focused on strengthening stakeholders' understanding of the international climate architecture and key COP31 agenda items, while providing a platform for diverse participants to discuss on draft position paper which was generated from various stakeholders and to develop recommendations for Cambodia's climate priorities. The afternoon session brought together representatives from the Ministry of Environment, relevant ministries, and key partners to review stakeholder inputs and build consensus around Cambodia's country position for COP31.

Mr Saroeun SOEUNG, Executive Director of the NGOF stressed that “Local multi-stakeholder led climate actions is one of key approaches for sustainably coping climate change, so that finance and other resources should be given to the local communities with no obstacles, or pre-requisites. I hope that our voices are heard and taken into account by global leaders, especially emitter countries.” 

Ms. Sophoan Phean, National Director of Oxfam in Cambodia, said, "Cambodia has committed to ambitious climate action, targeting a 55% emission reduction by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050. However, an equitable global climate regime cannot demand higher ambition from vulnerable nations such as Cambodia while withdrawing concessional support upon LDC graduation. COP31 must deliver grant-based, predictable, and debt-resilient finance to ensure that graduation marks a milestone of sustainable development, not an increase in climate vulnerability."

Community representatives also shared firsthand experiences of how climate change is affecting rural livelihoods and food systems.

"Our families depend on the rain, our crops, and the fish in our rivers, but unpredictable weather is destroying harvests and pushing communities deeper into debt. We need greater support for local adaptation efforts, protection of natural resources, and meaningful climate finance that reaches communities on the frontlines of the crisis," Channy Yem, a community participant from Stung Treng province. 

Participants discussed a broad range of priorities for Cambodia's climate agenda, including climate finance, adaptation and mitigation, loss and damage, inclusive implementation of Cambodia's Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), a just energy transition, nature-based solutions, carbon markets, climate-resilient agriculture and food systems, green investment, and gender-responsive climate action.

The consultation delivered several important outcomes, including strengthened alignment among stakeholders on Cambodia's priorities for COP31, consolidated recommendations to support the government's negotiating position, and enhanced collaboration among government agencies, civil society organizations, communities, academia, development partners, and the private sector.

Key recommendations emerging from the consultation include safeguarding access to climate finance for countries graduating from LDC status, increasing grant-based adaptation finance for vulnerable countries, strengthening direct access to the Loss and Damage Fund, and ensuring that global adaptation frameworks better reflect the protection of critical freshwater ecosystems such as the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Basin.

The organizers reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that Cambodia's priorities and perspectives are effectively represented in international climate negotiations and that the country's engagement at COP31 contributes to a more resilient, inclusive, and climate-just future. Some of us will bring our voice directly to the COP31.