The Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC) urged collective efforts by all stakeholders to increase the financial flow of long-term climate investment projects that promote environmental sustainability.

On August 29, SERC, in collaboration with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), co-organised a workshop on “Developing Climate Investment Project Pipelines in Cambodia” in Phnom Penh.

The event was part of the organisation's Climate Invest initiative, aimed at validating the findings of UNESCAP's research on developing green and sustainable project pipelines, discussing the challenges and opportunities in boosting financial flows to green projects in Cambodia and gathering insights from leaders in sustainable finance on the best practices leveraged in the country.

“Achieving these objectives will require the collective efforts of all stakeholders,” SERC director-general Sou Socheat said. “The Cambodian government has already demonstrated our commitment to sustainable development through various policies and initiatives.”

However, he emphasised that government action alone is insufficient, noting that it requires the active participation of the private sector, which plays a critical role in mobilising capital and driving innovation.

Socheat also highlighted the need for support from international partners, who bring valuable expertise, resources and perspectives, stressing that collaboration is key to success.

“By working together, we can leverage each other's strengths, mitigate risks and create an enabling environment where green projects can thrive.

“Through these partnerships, we can build a robust pipeline of climate investment projects that are not only financially viable but also socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable,” he said.

Deanna Morris, Economic Affairs Officer at UNESCAP’s Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division, stated that the development of appropriate policies and financing instruments is central to achieving sustainable finance goals. 

However, she noted that a key stumbling block is ensuring the development of strong, bankable projects, which are fundamental for facilitating the flow of finance.

“These project pipelines must be financially viable, environmentally sound and aligned with the government's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) priorities.

“Having a bankable project pipeline paves the way for the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. It enables governments to establish a clear roadmap of projects that align with their climate goals, providing clarity on public financing priorities and offering private investors clear opportunities,” she said.