Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea (left) meets with Coca-Cola senior vice-president of global policy and sustainability Michael Goltzman at the Permanent Mission of Cambodia to the UN in New York on September 26. Post Staff
The Coca-Cola Company reaffirmed its dedication to sustainable development in Cambodia during a bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea held on Thursday, September 26.
The meeting, which took place at the Permanent Mission of Cambodia to the UN in New York, preceded the minister's address at the UN General Assembly, according to a September 27 press release from the company.
The release noted that Coca-Cola senior vice-president of global policy and sustainability Michael Goltzman highlighted the company’s long-standing contributions to the country’s economic growth, employment and sustainability efforts.
He emphasised the alignment of the company’s initiatives with Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy – a core component of the nation’s Vision 2050, focusing on people, roads, water, electricity and technology.
"As Cambodia strives to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030 and high-income status by 2050, Coca-Cola is proud to be a partner in the country's journey toward sustainability," Goltzman stated. "We are investing in innovative solutions that promote green growth and improve the livelihoods of the communities we serve."
According to the release, the company has been a prominent player in Cambodia since 1963, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic development. It directly employs over 830 people in the country and supports more than 8,000 indirect jobs, 99.7 per cent of which are held by Cambodian nationals.
It noted that 37 per cent of middle management roles within the company are filled by women, reflecting the company’s commitment to gender equality in the workplace.
The release highlighted that Coca-Cola’s operations in Cambodia are supported by its bottling partner, Swire Coca-Cola Ltd, its fifth-largest bottling partner. Swire operates across Cambodia, Vietnam, Greater China and the US, enhancing Coca-Cola’s presence and influence in the region.
During the meeting, Goltzman discussed the company’s efforts in water stewardship, plastic waste management and the creation of sustainable packaging, all aimed at promoting a circular economy in the country.
“We remain steadfast in our support for Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy, with ongoing investments in sustainability, water and packaging initiatives that drive positive impact for both people and the environment,” he reiterated.
