NBC, UN Convene High-Level Dialogue on Microfinance in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Sept.10, 2025) — The National Bank of Cambodia and the United Nations in Cambodia co-hosted the third NBC-UN High-Level Multi-stakeholder Convening on Microfinance on Sept. 9 in Phnom Penh, bringing together regulators, financial institutions, civil society and development partners to assess progress and chart future actions in the sector.

Deputy Prime Minister Say Sam Al, who also serves as minister of land management, urban planning and construction, attended the event. The dialogue was co-moderated by Dr.Chea Serey, governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, and Jo Scheuer, the U.N. resident coordinator in Cambodia.

The convening reviewed the implementation of 22 priority actions adopted during the inaugural meeting in July 2024. Participants also held in-depth discussions on two central themes: consumer protection and the development of an incentive framework aligned with the Code of Conduct, responsible lending and debt collection practices.

In a post on her official social media account, Dr.Serey said the dialogue “brings in financial institutions, regulators, line ministries, NGOs, [and] investors around the table to discuss and put in place action plans that will help protect borrowers from abuse.” She added that while regulating financial institutions is essential, “educating the borrowers (demand side) on financial matters will have a more lasting impact.”

Following the convening, the National Bank of Cambodia and the United Nations in Cambodia are expected to issue a joint statement outlining key achievements and next steps.

Cambodia’s microfinance sector remains a critical driver of economic development, with loans totaling $5.37 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up 4.1% from the previous quarter, according to the Cambodia Microfinance Association.