AKP Phnom Penh, November 12, 2025 --

The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) and the EU Delegation to Cambodia jointly organised at the CDC on Nov. 11 a high-level dialogue on the Joint European Strategy for Development Cooperation with Cambodia (JES 2021–2027) and the Global Gateway Strategy, reaffirming their strong partnership. 

The high-level dialogue was co-chaired by H.E. Chhieng Yanara, Senior Minister in Charge of Special Missions and Second Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, and H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Cambodia. 

This high-level dialogue was attended by Secretary of State and Under-Secretary of State from 25 ministries and institutions, as well as high-ranking representatives from the European Union, together with the Ambassador of Belgium , the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, the Ambassador of Ireland, the Deputy to the French Ambassador, the Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy, the Head of Cooperation of Swiss Development Cooperation and country directors of AFD, GIZ and KfW, as well as representatives from EuroCham. 

The dialogue is aimed at jointly reviewing the progress of cooperation between the European Partners and the Royal Government of Cambodia.

At the meeting, H.E. Chhieng Yanara commended the effective implementation with its alignment to Cambodia’s national priorities and applauded the concrete result it has achieved. 

“The Joint European Strategy and Global Gateway reflect the strong, long-term partnership between Cambodia and our European friends. These frameworks not only align closely with Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy but also demonstrate shared commitment to inclusive growth, human development, and environmental sustainability,” he said.

“We value this principled cooperation, which continues to bring tangible benefits to the Cambodian people and supports our path toward sustainable and resilient growth, especially as we are heading toward graduating from the LDC,” he added.

H.E. Ambassador Igor Driesmans stated the Joint European Strategy and the EU Global Gateway embody Europe’s commitment to building an inclusive, sustainable, and climate-neutral socio-economic model. European partners are deeply committed to a partnership grounded in mutual accountability, long‑term engagement, and shared priorities. 

“Through the JES and the Global Gateway, we aim to align European know‑how and financing in support of Cambodia’s sustainable growth, institutional resilience, and inclusive prosperity,” he said. 

Strong EU financial engagement through the Global Gateway and Team Europe Initiatives demonstrates the EU’s long-term development commitment to Cambodia under the Joint European Strategy framework. 

A total of US$992 million were reported as disbursed by the European Partners over the period 2021-2024 to advance Cambodia’s green, digital, and inclusive growth and ASEAN regional integration through investments in sustainable energy, infrastructure modernisation, skills development, and governance.

Concrete achievements include the Bakheng Water Supply Project delivering 100 percent of Phnom Penh’s water needs by 2025, 1,950 kilometres of new pipelines, 110,000 households connected, over 113,000 scholarships granted and 500+ STEM opportunities for youth, progress in upgrading 1,100 kilometres of rural roads, expanded energy access to 95 percent of homes, a projected 30 percent cut in power outages by 2026, stronger transparent governance, and advances in environmental protection and green agriculture.

The European Partners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening a principled and collaborative partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia, the private sector, and civil society across all sectors.

By Chea Vannak