The UN Country Team for Cambodia, led by Resident Coordinator Jo Scheuer, met with Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace on June 4. STPM
The UN Country Team for Cambodia met with Prime Minister Hun Manet to share the jointly developed Cooperation Framework 2024-2028, with the expected outcomes to fully align with phase one of the government’s Pentagonal Strategy and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The team, led by Resident Coordinator Jo Scheuer, met with Manet at the Peace Palace on June 4. Scheuer briefed Manet on the outcome of the five-year framework, explaining that it centres on four categories.
They include the human element, notably through improved health, nutrition, education, gender equality and social protection, and the economy, ensuring people can contribute to an economy that is diverse, fair, formal and green.
It also includes the environment, via strengthening protection for natural resources and conservation, and social transformation, ensuring inclusivity, equality and specifically gender equality, openness, and accountability to serve the most vulnerable.
Scheuer highlighted several challenges to the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve the global SDGs.
Globally, only 15 per cent of the SDGs are on track. For the Asia and the Pacific region, the current estimates by The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific show that SDGs will be reached by 2062, not 2030, he explained.
“Notwithstanding our significant progress, a ‘business-as-usual’ approach will not see Cambodia achieve the 2030 Agenda, nor set the stage for Cambodia’s 2050 high-income goal,” he said.
He added that, globally, the UN has proposed six priority areas for the greatest acceleration towards the SDGs, such as food systems, renewable energy, digital connectivity, education, jobs and social protection, and climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Scheuer also highlighted climate change and good governance principles of “leave no one behind” as important aspects for Cambodia to consider.
He urged the government to revise its climate plans ahead of the COP 30 in 2025 in Brazil. On leave no one behind; he stressed the importance of partnerships on human rights.
The prime minister told the UN delegation that the meeting reflects the commitment of Cambodia in strengthening multilateralism which is at the core of the UN principles of international cooperation, solidarity, and development works and prosperity for all.
He also raised several aspects of cooperation that will ensure the Cooperation Framework 2024-2028 is successful and sustainable.
