AKP Phnom Penh, November 19, 2025—

Cambodia has reinforced its pivotal role in the Alliance of Champions for Food System Transformation (ACF), pledging to intensify collaboration with partner nations to build resilient, low-carbon food systems. 

The Southeast Asian nation emphasised that this transformation is critical for leveraging food systems as a cornerstone of global climate action and sustainable development.

The commitment was delivered by H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Cambodia’s Minister of Environment, during a keynote address at the ACF meeting on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil on Nov. 18.

Minister Sophalleth positioned food system transformation as central to achieving both climate and sustainable development goals. He highlighted that Cambodia’s latest national climate pledge, the Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0), formally embeds this transformation as a core strategy for mitigation, adaptation, and building climate resilience.

Cambodia’s national strategy prioritises several key areas: Promoting sustainable and healthy diets; Scaling up climate-smart and climate-resilient agricultural practices; Advancing ecosystem-based approaches and restoring protected landscapes; Reducing food loss and waste; Mainstreaming gender equality across all initiatives.

These priorities are operationalised through two key national policies: the Cambodia Roadmap for Sustainable Food Systems 2025–2030 and the “Third National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition 2024–2028”.

As a founding ACF member, Cambodia acknowledged the Alliance's significant support since its joining at COP28, which has been instrumental in shaping its domestic food system pathways. Minister Sophalleth noted that the ACF platform has fostered vital cross-ministerial integration and expanded cooperation with a broad coalition of development partners, including UN agencies, international financial institutions, and bilateral donors.

He further stated that the newly launched ACF Progress Framework will deepen experience-sharing, strengthen collaboration, and mobilise additional resources to accelerate progress.

The Alliance, established at COP28 in 2023, recently welcomed Italy and Vietnam as new members. The coalition now includes the five founding champions—Brazil, Cambodia, Norway, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone—alongside the new partners, all united in their commitment to overhaul national food systems for the benefit of people, nature, and the climate.

By K. Rithy Reak