AKP Phnom Penh, July 23, 2025 --

The Chairmen of the Commissions on Economy, Finance, Banking and Auditing of the National Assembly (NA) and Senate of Cambodia co-presided over the closing of a regional dissemination workshop held virtually via Zoom on July 22.

According to the NA, the workshop, titled “Climate Budget Briefs and the Role of Parliaments for Effective Oversight of Climate Finance in ASEAN,” was jointly organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Parliamentary Centre of Asia (PCAsia), bringing together approximately 100 participants from across Southeast Asia.

The event aimed to strengthen the role of parliaments in integrating climate finance into national budget frameworks and improving transparency and accountability in climate-related public spending.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Yos Phanita, Chairman of the Senate’s Commission on Economy, Finance, Banking and Auditing, expressed appreciation to the organisers for convening a timely and highly relevant dialogue.

“Climate threats such as floods, droughts, and other natural disasters are localised, regionalised, and globalised in nature,” he said. “These challenges are common across ASEAN and pose serious risks to our economies and communities.”

“These shared threats demand timely and coordinated responses from both governments and parliaments,” he added, urging legislators to move from dialogue to action through robust oversight and effective policy leadership.

Throughout the workshop, researchers and experts from Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand shared national experiences and innovations in integrating climate finance into budgetary systems. Presentations highlighted efforts in budget tagging, climate expenditure reviews, and aligning national budgets with climate mitigation and adaptation goals.

Keynote speakers from PCAsia and the UNDP Climate Finance Network underscored the need for strong institutions and skilled personnel to support climate budgeting processes. 

They also emphasised transparent planning, reliable data systems, and inclusive policymaking as critical to effective oversight.

Delivering closing remarks, H.E. Chheang Vun, Chairman of the NA’s Commission on Economy, Finance, Banking and Auditing, congratulated participants on their constructive contributions and thanked the organisers for creating an inclusive regional platform for knowledge exchange.

He stressed that building climate resilience is key to achieving sustainable development, and called for stronger parliamentary oversight to address the region’s climate finance gap-estimated at over US$422 billion by 2030-given the shortfall in current funding flows.

Reflecting on Cambodia’s Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality, H.E. Chheang Vun noted its emphasis on green jobs and inclusive growth. He reaffirmed that success depends on sound legislation, rigorous oversight, and climate-sensitive budgeting.

Drawing from regional best practices, he praised Cambodia’s efforts and acknowledged innovations in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand, by calling for more consistent monitoring, transparent reporting, and improved data integration across ASEAN member states.

H.E. Chheang Vun also proposed four regional commitments, inspired by the leadership of Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Cambodian Premier Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet such as mainstreaming climate budget briefs; building capacity; promoting budget tagging and transparency; and ensuring finance that reach the most vulnerable.

He expressed strong confidence that the workshop’s outcomes would contribute to deeper regional cooperation and tangible progress in climate action across Southeast Asia.

By L Vy