Phnom penh: Cambodia and the United Arab Emirates have formalised a strengthened bilateral commitment to combat climate change and accelerate sustainable development. The pledge came out of high-level talks between Cambodian Minister of Environment H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth and UAE Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Obaid Saeed Obaid Bintaresh Aldhaheri at the Ministry's headquarters in Phnom Penh, signaling a deepening of environmental diplomacy between Southeast Asia and the Gulf.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Minister Sophalleth characterised the existing environmental partnership as highly active and expanding, reaffirming Cambodia's resolve to align with global efforts against the climate crisis. He spotlighted the Kingdom's recent domestic achievements, including a nationwide campaign that has significantly curbed plastic bag consumption, driven largely by student-led participation.

Cambodia is strictly enforcing environmental laws to curb land, water, and air pollution while expanding its green canopy. H.E. Eang Sophalleth detailed the Ministry's reforestation initiative, which aims to plant 1 million trees annually. The Ministry has already prepared 5 million saplings for 2026 to bolster local planting and forest restoration efforts.

This large-scale initiative forms a critical pillar of Cambodia's strategic roadmap to increase forest cover and achieve total carbon neutrality by 2050. Both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to broaden cooperation across four core pillars: global environmental governance, climate change response, renewable energy deployment, and long-term sustainable development. The UAE is cemented as a key partner in Cambodia's green transition.