Cambodia, Japan to Expand Environmental Cooperation

By Cheang Channimol

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Sept. 3, 2025) — Cambodia and Japan have agreed to deepen environmental cooperation through a new memorandum of understanding focused on natural resource management and sustainable development, officials said Wednesday.

The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Cambodian Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth and Japanese Environment Minister Asao Keiichiro on the sidelines of the 18th ASEAN Environment Ministers Meeting.

Under the memorandum, both countries will collaborate on improving natural resource and environmental management, and promote Japanese investment in producing biodegradable plastic products from Cambodian cassava.
“We welcome Japan’s commitment to advancing regional and global environmental protection,” Sophalleth said. “This partnership opens new opportunities for technical collaboration, carbon credit initiatives, electric vehicle development, and reducing plastic waste in our oceans.”

The two ministers also agreed to strengthen cooperation on greenhouse gas inventory systems, with a joint commitment to submit biennial transparency reports under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Sophalleth praised Japan’s role in supporting Cambodia’s environmental goals and called for continued collaboration in science and technology to address climate challenges and promote sustainable innovation.