AGP Executive Report

Flood Recovery: Floods have affected about 120,000 households across seven provinces, with more than half in Battambang. Heavy rain and rising rivers damaged farms; the government is distributing rice seed and food and pledging continued relief and recovery. Sustainable Farming: Cambodian exporter AMRU Rice promoted organic rice in China, while a regional report drawing on research in Cambodia says smallholders need reliable connectivity and local support to make digital farming tools work. Tonle Sap Waste: In Pursat’s Kampong Luong floating community, regular clean-ups and household bins have improved plastic disposal, but collecting rubbish by boat remains costly. Energy Transition: New international planning tools could help Cambodia map coal plant retirements and replacement power; the country still has about 1,300 megawatts of coal capacity. Climate Pressures: Cambodia has approved a US$690 million plan to tackle seasonal haze, while changing rainfall threatens traditional salt harvests.

Coal Transition: New international planning tools could help Cambodia map a path to retire its roughly 1,300 megawatts of coal capacity, identify replacement power and secure financing while maintaining reliable electricity. Climate-Strained Salt Farms: Unseasonal rain is disrupting Kampot and Kep’s traditional salt harvests, compounding rising costs and labor shortages that have pushed some producers to close. Haze Prevention: Cambodia has approved a $690 million framework for 15 projects to reduce forest and land fires and curb open burning by 2035. Farm Finance: Ministers, including Cambodia’s, warn that less than 1% of climate finance reaches smallholders; a separate ADB-backed $72 million program aims to strengthen rural farming resilience and support women farmers. Conservation Funding: Global nature funding has fallen for a second year, with reduced US support already affecting conservation efforts in Cambodia as countries work toward the 2030 biodiversity targets.

Climate and livelihoods: Unseasonal rain is disrupting Kampot-Kep salt farms, damaging harvests and worsening financial strain as producers struggle to find workers. Haze and fires: Cambodia has approved a $690 million investment framework through 2035 to reduce forest and land fires and harmful open burning, a major source of seasonal haze. Conservation funding: A new report says international funding for nature has fallen for a second year; cuts to US aid have already affected conservation work in Cambodia. Water security: Fragmented oversight is putting Boeng Sneh Lake under pressure as expanding dry-season rice cultivation increases demand for water needed by local communities and fish. Rural resilience: Farmers face losses after rainfall swung from early-season drought to damaging floods, while an ADB-backed $72 million project aims to strengthen rural farming resilience and support women farmers. Wildlife: Cambodia reported six more endangered Irrawaddy dolphins after a successful breeding season.

Climate and Farming: Cambodia’s monsoon brought drought followed by floods, leaving some farmers with crop losses of about 10%; El Niño and limited irrigation keep smallholders at risk. Water Security: A new effort to coordinate management of Prey Veng’s Boeng Sneh Lake aims to address fragmented oversight as expanded rice cultivation increases demand for water the lake and its fisheries need. Rural Resilience: The ADB approved $72 million to support rural farmers, women in agriculture and climate resilience. Wildlife: Two young Indochinese langurs rescued from pet ownership are receiving specialist care in Siem Reap, while endangered river dolphins increased by six after a successful breeding season. Conservation Enforcement: Kirirom National Park recorded 50 natural-resource crimes in two months, underscoring continued pressure on protected areas.

Climate and Farming: Cambodia’s monsoon has swung from severe early-season drought to September floods, leaving farmers in the north facing crop losses of about 10%, with El Niño and limited irrigation adding to the risk. Biodiversity: At the UN biodiversity summit in Armenia, Cambodia is promoting its 2026–30 national action plan to protect and restore ecosystems. Rural Resilience: A $112 million ADB-backed project is set to support 200,000 smallholder farmers in seven provinces with agricultural infrastructure and help communities withstand heatwaves, droughts and floods. Wildlife Protection: Two young langurs rescued from private ownership are receiving specialist care in Siem Reap. Separately, an Indonesian lawsuit over pangolin scales seized in a shipment bound for Cambodia could establish a way to seek ecological restoration from alleged traffickers. Conservation Enforcement: Governments have agreed to begin negotiating a global protocol targeting environmental crimes, including wildlife trafficking, illegal deforestation and waste smuggling.

Biodiversity: Cambodia is reaffirming conservation commitments at the UN’s COP17 summit, where it plans to present a 2026–30 biodiversity strategy. Climate Resilience: ADB-backed funding of $112.3 million aims to help 200,000 smallholder farmers in seven provinces withstand heatwaves, droughts and floods, with investments in irrigation, roads and disaster preparedness. Agriculture: Cambodia exported an estimated 15 million tonnes of farm products in the first 10 months of 2026, while officials say sustainable production and environmental protection remain priorities. Clean Air: Kampong Chhnang city has been recognised as smoke-free, with tourism businesses urged to enforce no-smoking rules. Water Quality: ADB estimates only about 9% of Cambodia’s wastewater is treated before discharge, leaving rivers and wetlands exposed to pollution. Wildlife: Mekong river dolphin numbers rose by six after a successful breeding season, offering a boost for the endangered species.

Climate-Resilient Farming: A $112.3 million ADB-backed project aims to help 200,000 smallholder farmers in seven Cambodian provinces withstand droughts, floods and heatwaves, with investment in irrigation, rural roads and women’s participation. In Siem Reap, net houses are helping growers protect vegetables from rainy-season crop losses. Water Pollution: Only about 9% of Cambodia’s wastewater is treated before discharge, leaving rivers and wetlands vulnerable to pollution as cities expand. Wildlife Protection: Six new Irrawaddy dolphin calves bring Cambodia’s Mekong population to 118, but gillnets remain a major threat. Protected Areas: Rangers recorded 50 natural-resource crimes in Kirirom National Park over two months, including illegal boundary posts, forest clearing, logging and wildlife trapping.

Wastewater Pressure: Cambodia treats only about 9% of its wastewater, an ADB study found, while much of Phnom Penh’s untreated sewage flows into rivers and wetlands, threatening water quality and public health. Mekong Dolphins: Six calves were born in the latest breeding season, bringing Cambodia’s Irrawaddy dolphin population to 118. Conservationists say curbing threats such as gillnet fishing is vital to their recovery. Protected Areas: Kirirom National Park recorded 50 natural-resource crimes in two months, including illegal boundary posts across nearly 20 hectares of forest and logging. Climate-Resilient Farming: ADB approved a $72 million package, alongside partner and government funding, to help about 200,000 smallholder farmers in hazard-prone areas improve resilience, irrigation and market access, with a focus on women. Heat and Learning: A study of more than 731,000 Cambodian students found that higher school-year heat exposure was associated with lower exam performance, with disadvantaged students facing greater risks.

Protected Areas: Rangers recorded 50 natural-resource offenses in Kirirom National Park over two months, including illegal boundary markers across nearly 20 hectares, forest clearing, logging and wildlife trapping. Five cases have been referred to court. Climate-Resilient Farming: ADB approved a $72 million package to help about 200,000 smallholder farmers in hazard-prone communes withstand extreme weather and economic shocks, improve agricultural services and expand women’s participation. Nature and Public Awareness: Cambodia’s “Amazing Nature” campaign brought conservation messages to Phnom Penh, with officials calling for fact-based reporting to help protect the country’s natural heritage. Heat and Learning: Research on more than 731,000 Cambodian students found that hotter school years are linked to lower exam performance, with disadvantaged students facing greater risks. Climate Pressures: Recent reporting warns that climate change threatens Cambodia’s floating villages and could cause severe economic losses, while authorities are urging water conservation as El Niño persists.

Heat and Learning: An ADB-linked study of 731,279 Cambodian students found that hotter school years are associated with lower exam scores, with disadvantaged students facing greater risks. Ecotourism: Veal Veng is upgrading roads and visitor facilities to draw tourists to its forests, waterfalls and mountains; the government says Phnom 1500 should be developed for ecotourism, not private vacation homes. Plastic Waste: An agreement between the education and environment ministries aims to cut school plastic waste, with 34,110 bins planned for 11,370 schools. Climate Risks: El Niño and rising temperatures threaten Cambodia’s water supplies, food security and floating-village livelihoods, while the ADB warns climate change could bring severe economic losses. Conservation: A new programme aims to cut super-pollutant emissions, while inspections in Kratie have uncovered crimes in protected areas and six new Irrawaddy dolphin calves offer hope for the endangered species.

Extreme Heat: A study of 731,279 Cambodian students found that each 1°C rise in school-year heat exposure was associated with lower Grade 12 exam scores, with disadvantaged students facing greater risks. Researchers warn that rising temperatures could widen education gaps. Ecotourism: Veal Veng is upgrading roads and visitor facilities to draw tourists to its forests, waterfalls and mountains. The government is promoting nature-based tourism while saying Phnom 1500 should not become a site for private vacation homes. Wildlife Trafficking: An investigation into more than three tonnes of pangolin scales seized in Indonesia from a shipment bound for Cambodia has prompted an inquiry by international watchdog EIA; the scales’ origins remain unclear. School Waste: Cambodia’s environment and education ministries have agreed to curb plastic waste in schools, with 34,110 bins set for distribution to 11,370 schools. Regional Haze: Singapore has issued notices to 10 firms over suspected links to fires behind the region’s toxic haze, as protests in Indonesia demand stronger action on forest and peatland burning.

Wildlife Crime: Fewer than half of 259 tiger trafficking cases recorded across seven Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, led to convictions or penalties, a new report finds. Enforcement often targets low-level offenders rather than the networks behind the trade. Haze Accountability: Singapore has issued legal notices to 10 firms over suspected links to Indonesian fires; six say they will cooperate as toxic haze spreads across the region and sparks student protests. Nature and Education: A Phnom Penh exhibition brought Cambodia’s forests, rivers, wetlands and coasts into focus, while a new agreement aims to cut plastic waste in schools. The Environment Ministry is providing 34,110 bins to 11,370 schools. Climate Pressure: Climate change threatens Cambodia’s floating villages, while an ADB warning points to severe economic losses for the country. El Niño also heightens concerns over food security and water management.

Nature Conservation: Cambodia’s “Amazing Nature” exhibition opened in Phnom Penh on Oct. 24, bringing forests, rivers, wetlands and coastal ecosystems into focus and urging public support for conservation. Plastic Waste: The environment and education ministries agreed to curb plastic in schools through better waste sorting and disposal; the Environment Ministry will provide 34,110 bins to 11,370 schools. Climate Preparedness: Cambodia asked the UN Food and Agriculture Organization to help strengthen weather networks, early-warning systems and local capacity. The Asian Development Bank also warned that rising seas, coastal erosion and flooding threaten livelihoods and economic activity in Koh Kong, Kampot, Kep and Preah Sihanouk.

School Waste: Cambodia’s education and environment ministries have teamed up to curb plastic waste in schools, with 34,110 bins being provided to 11,370 schools nationwide. Regional Haze: Record-worst forest and peat fires in Indonesia have spread toxic haze across Southeast Asia, prompting student protests and calls for stronger action. Coastal Climate Risks: The ADB warns that rising seas, erosion and flooding threaten Cambodia’s coastal provinces, putting ports, fisheries, trade and tourism at risk. Climate Readiness: Cambodia has asked the FAO to help strengthen weather networks and early-warning systems so farmers can better plan and communities can prepare for disasters. Pollution Cuts: Cambodia has launched a $4 million programme to reduce super-pollutant emissions. Wildlife: Six new Irrawaddy dolphin calves offer hope for the endangered species, even as threats persist.

Climate Preparedness: Cambodia has asked the FAO to help strengthen weather-monitoring networks and early-warning systems, improving farmers’ ability to plan for erratic conditions and reducing disaster risks. Coastal Risks: An Asian Development Bank report warns that rising seas, erosion and flooding threaten Koh Kong, Kampot, Kep and Preah Sihanouk, putting ports, fisheries, trade and tourism at risk. El Niño and Food Security: With El Niño persisting, Cambodia faces added pressure on food security and water resources; the government has urged conservation. Pollution: Cambodia has launched a US$4 million programme to cut super-pollutant emissions. Wildlife: Six new Irrawaddy dolphin calves offer hope for the endangered population, while a fatal elephant attack has renewed attention to human-wildlife conflict. Forest Protection: A regional workshop in Siem Reap brought forest agencies together to share restoration and monitoring practices.

Coastal Climate Risks: An ADB report warns that rising seas, erosion and flooding threaten Cambodia’s coastal provinces, putting ports, fisheries, trade and tourism at risk. Early Warnings: Cambodia has asked the FAO to help strengthen weather monitoring, early-warning systems and local capacity so farmers can better plan and manage climate risks. Drilling Approval: The Environment Ministry has cleared Angkor Resources to explore for oil and gas across four sub-basins in southwest Cambodia; further permits are still needed before drilling can proceed. Emissions: Cambodia has launched a five-year, $4 million program to cut super-pollutant emissions. Wildlife: Six new Irrawaddy dolphin calves offer hope for the endangered population, even as threats persist.