Phnom Penh, 26 April 2024: ERIA and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation for Developing a Strategy for Green Digital Finance in Cambodia.

The MoU reflects a shared commitment to strengthen cooperation between the two institutions in support Cambodia's green development agenda. Through this MOU, ERIA and NBC will work together to expand the use of green digital finance to further an array of environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives aligned to Cambodia's National Determined Contribution (NDC) to tackle climate change by 2050.

At the signing ceremony, welcoming remarks were delivered by H.E. Yim Leat, Deputy Governor of the NBC. He emphasized the significance of the MoU as a stepping stone for stronger collaboration between the NBC and ERIA. He highlighted the MoU's potential to enhance the understanding of green digital finance, along with aiding future policy and regulation development in Cambodia.

ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe in his opening remark reiterated ERIA's support for the Royal Government of Cambodia, as exemplified during Cambodia’s 2022 chairmanship of ASEAN. He emphasized ERIA's commitment to continue its support, especially in its efforts towards decarbonisation and sustainable development. He concluded by saying ERIA stands ready to work together with NBC to find appropriate strategies to expand and to accelerate the portfolio of ESG and green digital finance in Cambodia. He hoped that this strategy could be a model for other countries in the region and beyond in the future. 

Dr Han Phoumin, ERIA Senior Economist, delivered a keynote presentation providing a snapshot of digital green finance and the regional energy transition. This was followed by a discussion with participants from the National Bank of Cambodia. 

The official signing ceremony concluded with H.E. Dr Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, and Tetsuya Watanabe, President of ERIA, signing the MOU. The collaboration between ERIA and the NBC signifies a positive step towards fostering a sustainable financial future for Cambodia.