31 May 2024, Phnom Penh – Urbanization is happening at a phenomenal rate in Cambodia. 19.5 percent of the national population lived in urban areas in 2008, and it increased to 39.4 percent in 2019. The trend of urban population increase is projected to continue for decades, and it is estimated to reach 9 million people or slightly more than 4 in ten people by 2050. Urbanization can be a trigger for positive impacts and national development if various actors work collaboratively and improve the coherence of action.
Co-organized by the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction (MLMUPC), World Bank, and UN-Habitat, the Second Cambodia Urban and Housing Forum was held on 30-31 May 2024. Around 300 participants participated from development partners, national and sub-national government offices, embassies, private sector, non-governmental organizations, and students.
The forum offered a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue to discuss and agree on coherent policy, strategic, and programmatic priorities towards smart, green, sustainable, and inclusive urban development in Cambodia. It was also an opportunity to prepare coordinated inputs to the follow-up and review processes for the global development agendas, including the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly Goal 11) and the New Urban Agenda, building on the work already done by Cambodia with the Habitat III National Report and under the UN Development Assistance Framework 2019-2023.
“We need to build livable cities by conserving our culture, civilization, tradition, and happiness for everyone”, said H.E. Say Samal, Deputy Prime Minister/ Minister of MLMUPC.
Considering the 2020 Climate Risk Index ranks Cambodia as the 12th most disaster-prone country among 172 countries from 1999 to 2018, presentations and speeches emphasized the importance of mainstreaming climate and disaster resilience into investment decisions is critical for green/ sustainable urbanization.
“Integrated planning lies as the cornerstone of national urban policy, sharing a common vision of tackling key priorities, towards more smart, green, resilient, and inclusive cities across Cambodia”, highlighted by Mr. Srinivasa POPURI, Chief, Bangkok Programme Office, Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific, UN-Habitat.
The forum was also designed as a platform to interact with participants, and it promoted active discussions and knowledge exchanges among national and international participants who work in the urban and housing sectors.
“It was a good platform to have a mutual understanding of national policies and legislations related to the urban and housing while learning new ideas through global experiences. Knowledge from the forum is helpful for him to fulfil his duties.”, said Mr. Bith Chankhan, an official from the Ministry of Interior.
The forum was concluded by H.E. Tekreth Samrach, Permanent Secretary of State of MLMUPC, to address the achievement of the forum to cover key themes to develop livable cities for all. He also encouraged participants to reflect insights from the forum into actions to move forward towards a sustainable and inclusive urban future in Cambodia.
