GIZ Cambodia hosts Cambodia Circular Economy Forum 2024
GIZ Cambodia successfully hosted Cambodia Circular Economy Forum 2024: Enhancing Waste Management for a clean, green and sustainable Cambodia" from September 9th to 13th at the Sun and Moon Riverside Hotel.The forum focused on collaboration, innovation, and the private sector's role in driving the country's transition to a circular economy.
On the first day, the forum gave key insights from GIZ's support for circular economy approaches, such as community involvement in local waste management. The forum discussed the economic potential of waste, emphasising the need to convert it into revenue streams. A key session on circular approaches for agricultural waste highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships, showcasing examples from HEINEKEN Cambodia and GIZ's regional partners. The day concluded with a call to action for leveraging circular economy models to create jobs and uplift communities as Cambodia works toward LDC graduation.
The second day featured business-driven waste management solutions, garment industry circularity, and sustainable tourism. German companies everwave GmbH, ECOLOGICON GmbH, and atmosfair gGmbH presented their Cambodian projects, ranging from river cleanups to battery takeback schemes and biomass initiatives. A panel discussion with private sector leaders and a Ministry of Environment representative examined the opportunities and challenges for businesses in advancing circular economy practices in Cambodia. The event also included the GIZ FABRIC pilot project on textile waste recycling and a fashion show by ReMade, showcasing upcycled garments. The day concluded with a panel discussion among experts from Kratie, Kep, Siem Reap, and Battambang, exchanging views on waste management challenges and sustainability in hospitality.
Day three focused on local waste management plans and the role of behavioral change in improving solid waste management. Presentations covered waste management setups in Battambang, Moung Reussei, and Siem Reap, followed by a panel discussion on public-private cooperation opportunities. The day concluded with The Asia Foundation's closing event on their 3RproMar pilot in Kratie Municipality, followed by reflections on the partnership and lessons learned during the pilot implementation. Mr. Frank Jattke, ASEAN Team Leader, highlighted the project's successes and reaffirmed GIZ's commitment to supporting Cambodia's waste management efforts.
Overall, the forum showcased the progress made in driving Cambodia's circular economy forward but also underscored the need for legislative action, the crucial role of the private sector, and behavioral change to align the country with international circularity standards.
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