The Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia ( Serc ) has convened the country’s first investor roundtable on sustainable finance as part of the government’s efforts to catalyze the green finance sector.

Cambodia has set ambitious goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 41.7% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.

Although it recently entered the third phase of its Sustainable Bond Accelerator programme under the Serc, many green projects in Cambodia struggle to access finance.

To discuss investment priorities, risk mitigation, and financing solutions, the roundtable in Phnom Penh on November 11 brought together institutional investors, financial institutions, multilateral agencies, and project developers to address the funding gap.

‘Common commitment’

Says Serc director general Sou Socheat: “We share a common commitment with our investors to ensure projects are trustworthy, aligned with international standards, and prevented from greenwashing risks.

“Advancing sustainable finance depends on strong partnerships among regulators, investors, and development partners. We aim to turn dialogue into action and reinforce Cambodia's role as a regional leader in mobilizing sustainable investment.”

Nathalie André, local representative of the Seoul-based Global Green Growth Institute ( GGGI ), a partner in the bond accelerator programme, says transparency and international best practice are particularly pertinent in Cambodia in the current investment climate.

“The green bond framework is in many ways applicable for other international financial resources, including multilateral development banks,” she says.

According to government estimates, without sufficient investment in adaptation and resilience, climate change could reduce Cambodia’s GDP by nearly 10% by 2050.

Apart from GGGI, other partners in the bond accelerator programme include the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific,  Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia, and the Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility of the Asian Bond Markets Initiative.