Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 6, 2025 – The Ministry of Environment of Cambodia has officially launched the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation for Methane Mitigation (AKCMM) project. The project launching event was presided over by H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, and attended by over 150 participants, including key officials from the Cambodian Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Technical Working Group on Climate Change of Cambodia, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia, the private sector, partner ministries, and GGGI Cambodia.
In January 2025, GGGI, the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ASEAN Secretariat, and representatives of ASEAN Member States officially launched the project at the regional level and today’s event marks the first national-level launch.
Funded by the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), the AKCMM project is a $20 million regional initiative to be implemented over three years across nine ASEAN Member States, including Cambodia. The project aims to pave the way for the country to catalyze action on methane emissions—one of the most potent greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.
Over the past few decades, and as stated in Cambodia’s Initial National Communication, Second and Third National Communications (NCs), Biennial Update Report (BUR), and most recently the Initial Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1), methane emissions have grown significantly. Designing targeted interventions to reduce methane emissions can have a rapid and significant impact on limiting global warming. Implemented with GGGI as the main implementing partner, the project will reduce methane emissions through four strategic areas of intervention: 1. Developing enabling policies and institutions; 2. Improving the measurement of methane emissions; 3. Designing, financing, and implementing methane reduction projects; and 4. Promoting regional dialogue and partnerships.
This project is the first funded and implemented initiative under the regional cooperation between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea, known as the Partnership for ASEAN-ROK Methane Action (PARMA), announced during the ROK-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2023.
H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, said: “As a signatory of the Global Methane Pledge, Cambodia is committed to taking action to reduce methane emissions. The launch of the AKCMM project represents a strategic opportunity for us to align national efforts with regional and global commitments. This initiative will not only help us build capacity and access climate finance, but also foster innovation in the agriculture sector, which is a key source of methane emissions. We look forward to working closely with GGGI, the Republic of Korea, and our ASEAN partners to implement practical, science-based solutions that contribute to both climate resilience and sustainable development.”
Mr. Hyunsoo Kim, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia, said: “The ASEAN-Korea Cooperation for Methane Mitigation project is timely as it deepens the Republic of Korea’s relationship with the ASEAN member states including Cambodia. The Republic of Korea has pledged to increase its contribution to the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund to $32 million by 2027, which will help catalyze greater cooperation on climate change, sustainable development and environmental protection.”
Ms. Shomi Kim, GGGI Cambodia Country Representative, said: “Today’s Launching Event is a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to methane emissions reduction while enhancing the global competitiveness in the agricultural industry in Cambodia. There are tremendous opportunities for the country in the agricultural sector, specifically through Alternate Wetting and drying (AWD) which has the potential to reduce up to 40% of methane emissions. The project will explore and assess the economic and environmental impacts of the promising projects such as AWD, sustainable cultivar and agriculture waste treatment. The AKCMM project provides opportunities for Cambodia to unlock its potentials, further demonstrating proof of concept and facilitating carbon financing for scaling up.”
With the vision of contributing to a sustainable ASEAN community and stronger regional integration, the project also aims to support technology transfer and increase access to finance for methane emission reduction. A governance mechanism, through the Methane Reduction Committee, has been established to monitor project implementation, progress, and success. GGGI will work closely with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, relevant ministries, local academic institutions, and the private sector to achieve the project’s objectives.
