Cambodia 2025: Towards Innovative and Inclusive Economies for Waste Management and Sustainable Development

The Waste Summit Cambodia returns in 2025 with renewed ambition and an even more inclusive approach. This year, the event is joining forces with the Cambodia Inclusive and Responsible Business (IRB) Forum, under the aegis of the Sustainable Business Alliance (SBA), to form a regional platform bringing together public and private stakeholders, researchers, start-ups and NGOs around the key themes of waste management, the circular economy, gender equality and climate-resilient supply chains.

Taking place in Siem Reap on 24 and 25 October 2025, this national event aims to provide a catalyst for concrete solutions to the country's environmental and socio-economic challenges, in particular by stimulating the role of SMEs, the mainstay of the Cambodian economy, in building a responsible and inclusive growth model

A time for sharing innovation and responsibility

The first day is reserved for the forum on inclusive and responsible business, which will be held behind closed doors for around 100 participants. It will highlight concrete cases in agriculture, health, manufacturing and digital services, with a particular focus on SMEs led by women and committed to sustainable practices. Panel debates and practical workshops will help to measure the economic and social benefits of a business model that takes account of environmental and societal issues.

The second day, open to the public, will be dedicated to the Waste Summit, with a focus on innovative waste management economies. The focus will be on alternatives to traditional landfill sites, digital transformation applied to solid waste management, and solutions for the treatment of organic, plastic and hazardous waste. More than 50 exhibitors - companies and start-ups - will be showcasing their innovations in a dedicated networking area.

Structural challenges and economic opportunities

Cambodia is facing a significant increase in the volume of municipal waste - almost 4.78 million tonnes generated by 2020 - as a direct result of rapid economic growth, urbanisation and population growth. While progress has been made, notably with the emergence of management infrastructures and the integration of digital tools, long-term sustainable management remains a major challenge, particularly in terms of landfill management and the system's capacity to make an effective transition.

Beyond waste, broader issues affect Cambodian communities, including limited access to drinking water, sanitation, electricity and quality healthcare. Faced with these challenges, the transformation of SMEs, which account for more than 90% of businesses and contribute between 50% and 63% of GDP, is crucial to achieving sustainable economic development, while promoting social inclusion, particularly with regard to the economic empowerment of women and the reduction of inequalities.

The key role of partnerships and innovation

The Waste Summit and IRB Forum 2025 embody the importance of multi-sectoral and collaborative approaches to tackling environmental and social challenges. With the support of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, the NGO Oxfam and the Sustainable Business Alliance, these events aim to strengthen cooperation between public authorities, the private sector, civil society and the scientific community.

The SBA encourages SMEs to adopt sustainable and responsible business practices, in line with the ASEAN regional framework for inclusive business. This model aims to be commercially viable while providing systemic solutions to the problems of vulnerable populations, promoting positive social impact, climate resilience and the preservation of natural resources.

Dedicated sessions will highlight inspiring examples of Cambodian businesses committed to sustainability, while discussing the challenges associated with finance, training and access to markets. This dynamic of innovation is seen as essential if Cambodia is to move towards a future where no one is left behind.

A call to action for all stakeholders

The Waste Summit Cambodia 2025 is not just a one-off event, but an invitation to work together to build a more integrated and sustainable ecosystem. Held in Siem Reap, it combines conferences, debates, exhibitions, screenings and networking, providing an ideal framework for stimulating collaboration and amplifying impacts.

The organisers are calling on companies, start-ups, experts, decision-makers and citizens to co-create innovative solutions, share experiences and actively participate in these days, which promise to be a decisive catalyst for waste management and responsible business practices in Cambodia.

By investing in these inclusive economic models, the country is embarking on a path of prosperous, fair and environmentally-friendly development, at a time when the climate and social challenges have never been more pressing.