Turkey has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties and expanding cooperation with Cambodia across a range of sectors, including environmental protection, clean energy investment and climate change response.
The pledge was made by Ambassador Mesut Özcan, Turkey’s newly appointed ambassador to Cambodia, during a meeting with Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth at the Ministry of Environment on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Özcan highlighted Turkey’s determination to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation with Cambodia, particularly in environmental sustainability, renewable energy development and climate action initiatives.
The Ambassador also thanked Cambodia for supporting Turkey’s bid to host the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) and extended an invitation to Prime Minister Hun Manet and a Cambodian government delegation to attend the summit, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9-20.
In response, Sophalleth expressed appreciation for Turkey’s continued support for Cambodia’s development and for efforts to strengthen cooperation in diplomacy, trade, tourism, education and environmental protection.
He emphasised Cambodia’s commitment to participating in COP31, describing the summit as a key global platform for advancing climate action. He said Cambodia remains firmly committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening resilience to climate change through national strategies and international partnerships.
Sophalleth noted that Cambodia has developed and is implementing its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), which target a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
He also highlighted the government’s environmental agenda under the Environmental Sector Strategy, aligned with the Pentagonal Strategy, which focuses on three pillars: cleanliness, greenness and sustainability. Key initiatives include reducing plastic bag use, improving sanitation, planting one million trees annually and promoting clean energy and electric vehicle adoption to reduce pollution and support environmental conservation.
He added that Cambodia is working closely with development partners, United Nations agencies and international stakeholders to mobilise financial resources and technical support for climate-related programmes and interventions.
