On Tuesday, 30th May 2023, the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS) of the Asian Vision Institute (AVI) organised the twenty-second AVI-SDGs Dialogue webinar series on “Sustainable Trade for Green Economy” via Zoom and Facebook live stream. The distinguished panellists for this webinar include Mr. Taing Meng Eang, Director of the Department of Green Economy, Ministry of Environment, and Mr. Chourn Visal, Market Research Analyst, EuroCham Cambodia.
During the discussion, the panellists provided insightful presentations on the current state of Cambodia’s progress in enhancing sustainable trade for a green economy. Mr. Chourn Visal presented various impactful initiatives to promote responsible and sustainable business practices in Cambodia, reaffirming EuroCham’s dedication to nurturing a thriving and socially conscious business environment. Among the notable initiatives discussed was the Responsible Business Hub, a specialised service help desk, to provide local businesses with valuable free-of-charge information and advisory services on sustainability, human rights, and global supply chain issues that aim to foster export capabilities and maximise the advantages of complying with sustainable practices for businesses in Cambodia. Furthermore, EuroCham Cambodia actively facilitates Public and Private Dialogues, fostering collaboration among industry leaders and policymakers to formulate long-term strategies for national policies and advance sustainable economic growth. In addition, EuroCham Cambodia has launched the Sustainable Production Group to address challenges faced by sustainable producers and supply chain actors by enhancing sustainability practices, initiating capacity-building programs, and providing additional grants for international standards compliance.
Mr. Taing Meng Eang continued the discussion as he illustrated the national policies of the government through the Ministry of Environment. The initiatives include the National Policy on Green Growth and the National Strategic Plan on Green Growth 2013-2030. These policies aim to enhance the well-being and livelihood of the population while ensuring ecological safety through the principles of green economy, blue economy, environmental protection, social safety nets, and the preservation of national cultural identity. The Green Economy Policies encompass various aspects, including sustainable cities, green building, sustainable energy, and sustainable consumption and production. Cambodia has also developed a Roadmap for Sustainable Consumption and Production, which consists of five key pillars: sustainable production, sustainable distribution, sustainable consumption, sustainable investment, and values for sustainability. Sustainable production aims to reduce energy consumption, enhance resource efficiency, and minimise waste. Sustainable distribution involves initiatives such as eco-labelling, product certification, and sustainable packaging and logistics practices. Moreover, the pillar of sustainable investment seeks to promote responsible investment through partnerships, sustainable procurement, and incentives. Additionally, the values for sustainability pillar encompasses aspects such as education, monitoring progress, gender and social inclusivity, and research and communications efforts. Together, these pillars form a comprehensive framework to drive sustainable practices in Cambodia.
In conclusion, the webinar was successfully initiated with fruitful comments and discussions. The panellists also pointed out that Cambodia is on the right track in adopting sustainable trading for a green economy. Both distinguished speakers highlighted that all relevant stakeholders should continue fostering this process to alleviate Cambodia in compliance with the global trend. Moreover, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to proactively embrace sustainable practices through relevant forums, knowledge-sharing platforms, and resources to enhance their operations and contribute to a more sustainable future.
