On the morning of December 13, 2024, the CPDD coalition, in collaboration with its partners, organized a significant multi-stakeholder national dialogue at the Phnom Penh Era Hotel in Phnom Penh. The event, titled “Integrating Climate Actions into Districts, Municipalities’ Administration Plan and Budget,” brought together key actors from various sectors to discuss how to effectively incorporate climate change actions into local governance structures and budget planning processes.

The dialogue was co-hosted by a diverse group of organizations, including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the National School of Local Administration, Action for Development, STAR Kampuchea, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Coalition for Partnership in Democratic Development (CPDD). These partners shared a common goal: to foster collaboration and create sustainable solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change at the local level.

A central feature of the dialogue was the presentation of the practices of the Climate Change Finance Taskforce (CCFT), which has been instrumental in developing frameworks to address climate change impacts through finance. The taskforce showcased its ongoing efforts and presented joint analyses and prototypes of climate change finance solutions that could be applied at the district and municipality levels. These solutions aim to provide practical tools for local authorities to integrate climate resilience into their planning and budgeting processes, ensuring that climate considerations are embedded in the development of public policies and infrastructure.

Throughout the event, participants engaged in dynamic discussions that explored the challenges and opportunities of integrating climate action into local governance. Key topics included the identification of funding mechanisms for climate projects, the role of local governments in driving climate resilience, and strategies for ensuring that climate actions are effectively incorporated into long-term development plans. The dialogue emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration, with representatives from government, civil society, and development partners working together to find innovative solutions to climate-related challenges.