AKP Phnom Penh, September 11, 2025 -- Cambodia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have discussed their partnership, which has played a vital role in supporting Cambodia’s socio-economic development.

The discussion took place on Sept. 10, when H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce, received a courtesy call from Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, the newly appointed UNDP Resident Representative to Cambodia, at the ministry.

Both sides reviewed past cooperation initiatives that have contributed to market diversification, strengthened e-commerce capacity, and promoted green trade and the circular economy. They also explored opportunities for further collaboration in other priority sectors.

The meeting additionally touched on Cambodia’s preparations for graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2029, after being classified as an LDC since 1991.

It was noted that graduation from LDC status will result in the gradual withdrawal of international support measures such as preferential trade arrangements, flexible application of the WTO’s Rules of Origin, and Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and so on.

These changes will simultaneously have implications on Cambodia’s macroeconomic and trade performances in export sector, employment, and poverty, along with differential gender impacts.

By L Vy