Cambodia has urged world leaders at the COP30 summit in Belém to simplify access to global climate finance, saying developing nations cannot respond to intensifying climate impacts without funding that is accessible, predictable and aligned with long-term climate goals, according to Cambodianess.
Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth told delegates that existing financing channels remain too slow and complex for countries already facing severe environmental pressures. He said developing nations need direct access to funds and procedures that encourage private and innovative investment.
Cambodia highlighted forest protection as a core priority in its climate action strategy. Sophalleth said the country welcomes the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a new results-based financing mechanism supporting tropical forest conservation.
Cambodia is among the 53 countries endorsing the initiative, which was first introduced at COP28 and officially launched on 6 November during COP30. The initiative aims to complement existing climate finance systems by rewarding nations for maintaining and restoring forest cover.
During the launch, Norway pledged USD 3 billion over the next 10 years, while Brazil and Indonesia reaffirmed commitments of USD 1 billion each. Other public pledges included contributions from Portugal, France, the Netherlands and Germany.
Sophalleth said Cambodia’s updated climate plan, NDC 3.0, submitted on 8 August 2025, outlines a pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 55 percent by 2035 compared to business-as-usual projections. He added that nature-based solutions remain central to Cambodia’s climate ambition.
He also met with Emelyn Cheney, director of the Forest Climate Leaders Partnership, on the sidelines of the summit. The partnership, which now includes 36 countries, aims to halt and reverse global forest loss by 2030.
Source: Cambodianess.
