On 11 November 2025, the Royal Government of Cambodia and the European Partners reviewed progress in implementation of the Joint European Strategy (JES) and the EU Global Gateway Strategy, reaffirming Team Europe’s commitment to joint cooperation and sustainable development in the country.
On 11 November 2025, at the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), H.E. Senior Minister Chhieng Yanara, Second Vice-Chairman of CDC, met with H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of 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 meeting was attended by high representatives of key ministries and institutions of the Royal Government and 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, Senior Minister and Second Vice-Chairman of CDC, commended the effective implementation with its alignment to Cambodia’s national priorities and applauded the concrete result it has achieved thus far, stating that “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. 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.”.
In his remarks, the H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, 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”.
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 992 million USD 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 modernization, skills development, and governance.
Concrete achievements include the Bakheng Water Supply Project delivering 100% of Phnom Penh’s water needs by 2025, 1,950 km of new pipelines, 110,000 households connected, over 113,000 scholarships granted and 500+ STEM opportunities for youth, progress in upgrading 1,100 km of rural roads, expanded energy access to 95% of homes, a projected 30% 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.
Background
The Joint European Strategy for Cambodia 2021–2027
The Joint European Strategy (JES) for Cambodia 2021–2027, launched in 2022, provides a shared framework for European development partners, fully aligned with Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy Phase I, the 2030 Agenda, and the SDGs. It prioritizes post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and embeds cross-cutting themes like human rights, inclusion, gender equality, climate action, and environmental sustainability.
The JES identifies six priority areas supporting Cambodia’s graduation from Least Developed Country status. The 2024 JES Supplement deepened alignment with national priorities through joint analysis and consultations with the Royal Government, civil society, and the private sector. Operationally, the JES enhances coherence and impact by fostering joint programming, coordinated implementation, and shared evaluation among European partners.
Linking the JES with the EU Global Gateway Strategy
The EU Global Gateway Strategy complements JES by mobilizing sustainable investments aligned with Cambodia’s development priorities. Focused on energy, infrastructure, skills development, green agribusiness, factories, and job creation, the Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs) advance Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy goals.
By mid-2025, Global Gateway achieved its €300 billion investment target globally, blending EU grants, technical expertise, and private sector engagement. The EU Global Gateway in Cambodia focuses on strategic investments to accelerate the green energy transition, modernize infrastructure—including water treatment plants like Bakheng—and develop skills critical for sustainable growth. These efforts promote Cambodia’s economic recovery, environmental protection, and capacity building while advancing its integration into the ASEAN regional market. The 2025 joint report highlights European cooperation achievements and future investment opportunities with high development impact.