United States Provides $18.5 million for Economic Growth in Cambodia: Food Security, Agriculture and Environment

The United States and the Royal Government of Cambodia will sign an amendment to their bilateral agreement on September 21, 2012 that will provide $18.5 million in 2012 funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support joint U.S. and Cambodian priorities in economic growth, agriculture, food security, and global climate change adaptation and mitigation. The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. at the Office of the Council of Ministers.

Jeff Daigle, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., will attend the ceremony and sign as a witness. H.E. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of the Council of Ministers, and Flynn Fuller, USAID Mission Director, will sign on behalf of the Cambodian and U.S. governments.

This bilateral agreement funds USAID programs such as Helping Address Rural Vulnerabilities and Ecosystem Stability (HARVEST) and others that will support the Royal Government of Cambodia’s national development strategy by enhancing agricultural production, developing post-harvest management capacity, increasing access to food, and helping Cambodian farmers adapt to climate change. These programs will also strengthen the ability of civil society, the private sector, and the government to address food security and climate change challenges in Cambodia. The funding for these activities comes from the Feed the Future and Global Climate Change Initiatives.  
 
The Global Climate Change Initiative endeavors to protect Cambodia’s forests, conserve its biodiversity, and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.  These are key activities that will protect Cambodia’s environment and improve the lives and incomes of its rural citizens.

The United States also supports a broad range of programs designed to benefit all Cambodians, including programs in health, education, democracy, governance, and combating trafficking in persons. USAID expects to provide a total of $65 million in assistance to Cambodia in 2012.