Under the wise and long-term visionary and realistic implementation of the "Win-Win Policy" by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Cambodia has firmly maintained peace, national sovereignty, political stability, social security, and public order. Based on this foundation, the Royal Government of Cambodia has continued its dedicated efforts and achieved significant milestones in its socio-economic development. This includes driving sustained national economic growth, at an average rate of around 7% for more than two decades, maintaining macroeconomic stability, and continuously reducing poverty, which elevated the Kingdom of Cambodia's prestige on the international arena.
On this pathway, the 7th Legislature of the National Assembly, under the wise and energetic leadership of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN MANET, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Royal Government has continued to cultivate past achievements and is moving forward with enthusiasm and confidence to addressing challenges and embracing new opportunities for national development, to effectively respond to the rapidly changing socio-economic landscapes both regional and global. On this basis, the Royal Government has adopted the principle of "Think Globally and Act Locally" and "Keep Old Achievements, Establish New Ones", and has continued to expand economic diplomacy, strengthen development cooperation, in line with sharper and effective institutional and governance reforms. These efforts are aimed at achieving Cambodia's Vision of becoming a high-income country by 2050. To realize these ambitious goals, the Royal Government has put in place for implementation the Pentagonal Strategy Phase I, National Strategic Development Plan, and sector policies and strategies, significantly has continued to implement key reform programs focused on developing human capital, strengthening institutional structures, enhancing competitiveness and economic diversification, and expanding job opportunities for all citizens.
Despite being a lower-middle income country and is preparing to graduate from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category, the Royal Government has made significant progress in mobilizing development cooperation and strengthening inclusive partnerships with development actors for national development. In particular, from 2020 to 2024, development partners have provided an average of approximately USD 2 billion per year, reflecting their continued trust in the government's leadership in driving Cambodia's socio-economic development. Notably, concessional loans have steadily increased, whereas the share of grant assistance has remained stable. This trend indicates a gradual shift in the modality of development financing from grants to concessional loans as Cambodia prepares to graduate from LDC status by 2029.
The Royal Government of Cambodia has placed great importance on and continuously monitored the evolution of global situations, such as geopolitical conflicts, trade wars and tariffs, the ongoing trend of protectionist policies, and the restrictions on development financing by certain development partners. In this regard, the Royal Government has launched the Development Cooperation and Partnerships Strategy 2024-2028 to further strengthen inclusive partnerships, enhance resource mobilization and improve the efficiency of managing and utilizing these resources, to contribute to the achievement of national development goals as articulated in the Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1.
The overarching objective of the Development Cooperation and Partnerships Report is to review the evolving of development cooperation and monitor the progress of the partnerships in development through evidence-based analysis, aimed at supporting the implementation of national development priorities outlined in the Pentagonal strategy Phase 1 and National Strategic Development Plan. I firmly believe that this report will serve as a key input for shaping policies on development cooperation and as a useful reference for dialogues with stakeholder to further strengthen inclusive and effective partnerships.