Prime Minister Hun Sen (left) addresses the Cambodia Outlook Conference 2025 on March 4. Derek Yip, via X.
The Cambodia Development Research Institute (CDRI) and the Australian embassy in Cambodia co-hosted the March 4 Cambodia Outlook Conference 2025.
Presided over by Prime Minister Hun Manet, the conference brought together more than 500 government officials, academics, development partners and economic experts to discuss priority areas to continue the acceleration of the Kingdom’s economic growth.
Among them were Aun Pornmoniroth, Minister of Economy and Finance, Chea Serey, governor of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and CDRI chair, and Australian ambassador Derek Yip.
The Phnom Penh conference saw discussions on the structural challenges facing Cambodia and strategies for driving strong growth and development.
These included an urgent reform agenda to ensure long-term high-quality growth, good governance, institutional strengthening, private sector engagement and effective policy implementation.
“Australia is pleased to support important discussions that help shape Cambodia’s priorities for sustainable and inclusive development. The conference is an important platform bringing together a diverse range of experts and decision-makers to talk strategically about how best to support strong and resilient growth,” said ambassador Yip.
CDRI executive director Eng Netra shared her thoughts on the Kingdom’s current economic outlook.
“Cambodia is at a critical stage as it navigates these highly uncertain times. The CDRI is committed to producing influential and impactful development knowledge that contributes to Cambodia’s long-term prosperity through policy research, capacity development and meaningful cross-sector dialogues such as this conference,” she said.
The annual conference is one of the most important policy events in the Kingdom, explained a joint embassy-CDRI statement.
“It provides a key forum for leaders to discuss, share insights about the nation’s most pressing issues and shape the direction of development policy,” it added.
The conference was organised in collaboration with the Australia’s flagship economic development programme, the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED).
“This highlights Australia and the CDRI’s continued commitment to bringing together the most influential leaders from Cambodia, Asia and beyond to foster meaningful policy dialogue in support of resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth,” added the statement.
