Phnom Penh, Tokyo Agree to Expand Cooperation on Emissions and Biodiversity

Phnom Penh, Tokyo Agree to Expand Cooperation on Emissions and Biodiversity

TOKYO, Feb 16, 2026 — Cambodia and Japan have agreed to strengthen cooperation on environmental protection and climate change mitigation at both regional and global levels, Cambodia’s Environment Ministry said on Monday.

The agreement followed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Cambodian Ministry of Environment and Japan’s Ministry of the Environment in Tokyo.

Cambodia’s Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth held bilateral talks with Japan’s Environment Minister Ishihara Hirotaka, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, climate change adaptation, circular economy initiatives, environmental technology, plastic waste reduction and biodiversity conservation, the ministry said in a statement.

Both sides agreed to continue supporting the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), a bilateral carbon credit scheme that promotes low-carbon technologies. They also welcomed an upcoming JCM committee meeting scheduled to be held in Cambodia in March.

The meeting highlighted cooperation within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to address climate change challenges in the region, the statement said.

Eang Sophalleth welcomed Japan’s support for implementing Cambodia’s National Adaptation Plan, including strengthening early warning information systems, improving plastic waste management and sharing experience in national park management.