Parliament President Urges ASEAN Lawmakers to Turn Climate Pledges Into Action

PHNOM PENH, May 26, 2026 (KPT) — The parliament president has urged lawmakers across Southeast Asia to transform climate commitments into “concrete actions,” warning that the region faces mounting risks from the climate crisis.

National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary made the appeal Tuesday at the opening of the National Parliamentary Conference on Climate Governance in Phnom Penh.

She said parliaments must play a central role in drafting effective laws, approving green budgets, and ensuring oversight of government implementation.

Sudary stressed that climate action requires broad partnerships involving governments, civil society, local communities and young people.

Such collaboration, she said, is vital to protect livelihoods, support vulnerable groups and promote inclusive green growth.

“Legislatures have a responsibility to ensure that policies are not only adopted but implemented effectively,” she added.

The one‑day conference was organised by Cambodia’s National Assembly in partnership with the ASEAN Inter‑Parliamentary Assembly Secretariat.

Delegates included representatives from Indonesia, the Philippines, AIPA and the Tara Climate Foundation, alongside researchers, academics and development partners.

Indonesia’s Deputy Speaker Eddy Soeparno told the meeting Southeast Asia is now facing a “climate crisis” rather than simply “climate change.”

He urged ASEAN countries to acknowledge the scale of the challenge and take responsibility in addressing it, praising Cambodia for hosting the dialogue.

Soeparno said the conference provided an important platform for regional cooperation on climate adaptation and mitigation.

He commended Cambodia’s development progress and thanked officials for hosting the delegations.

The meeting aimed to strengthen parliamentary engagement in climate governance, ensuring that regional pledges translate into practical measures to safeguard communities and ecosystems across Southeast Asia.