The National Assembly Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable agricultural investment, a pledge made at the ASEAN RAI Guidelines Review held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on February 18-19.
With $130 million allocated under the Pentagonal Strategy to boost production, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and modernise the sector—plus $4 million for agricultural technical support—Cambodia continues to prioritize responsible investment in food, agriculture, and forestry.
Addressing the video conference of the ASEAN RAI Guidelines Review, Veng Sakhon, Member of the National Assembly Commission on Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Development, Environment, Water Resources and Meteorology, said that it is a privilege to deliver this message under critical role of parliamentary oversight in promoting responsible investment in food, agriculture, and forestry.
“As parliamentarians we are entrusted with ensuring that investment in these sectors aligned with sustainability economic growth and well-being of our people,” said Sakhon.
He went on to add that Cambodia prioritise responsible investment by implementing the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture, and Forestry.
The key legislative measures including the forestry law (2022), Agricultural Cooperatives Law (2013), Investment Law (2021), Food Safety Law (2022), and a new draft fishery law that hopefully submits to National Assembly soon to strengthen the commitment to food security community empowerment in climate resilient.
“In 2024, under the Government Pentagonal Strategy, $130 million was allocated to the agriculture sector. This investment is designed to boost agricultural production expand market stabilize prices provide loans to SMEs in agriculture and contribute to the technological modernization of the sector,” he added.
Sakhon added that furthermore $4 million has been dedicated to deploying agricultural technical officers to every community ensuring that local farmers have access to the expertise they need to thrive this initiative reflects a commitment to upholding the ASEAN RAI principles to ensure the law and policy aligned-with ASEAN RAI, the National Assembly continue to play a crucial role in Parliamentary Oversight.
Sakhon said that Cambodia appreciates AIPA’s leadership and the FAO’s support in advancing ASEAN RAI as well as the effort of commitment of AIPA Member Parliament and supporting and promoting this initiative.
“In this context, we welcome continued support and collaboration with AIPA Member Parliaments and external stakeholders. Cambodia stands ready to work hand-in-hand with the stakeholder to realise our shared vision of responsible investment in food, agriculture and forestry for ASEAN.”
It may be recalled that the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (ASEAN RAI) is the official document adopted by the ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in October 2018.
The guidelines have as their main objective the promotion of responsible regional investment in food, agriculture and forestry that ensures economic development, while also incorporating and reflecting the diverse circumstances of different ASEAN member states.
