Background
On February 13, 2026, senior representatives from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, including State Secretary Kong Sorita and Undersecretary Chea Nalyn, attended a regional ASEAN workshop focused on sharing best practices and lessons learned relating to the social impacts of climate change on women and children. The event included approximately 104 participants from ASEAN socio-cultural community institutions (ASCC) and 20 remote participants joining online.
Scope of Application
The regional dialogue targeted ASEAN member countries and involved government officials, policy makers, and practitioners working on gender, child welfare, and climate adaptation policies. The discussions aimed to increase awareness and promote inclusive strategies to address climate change impacts on vulnerable populations, especially women and children, across ASEAN.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The dialogue pursued the following core objectives:
- Sharing and exchanging good practices and country experiences in responding to the social impacts of climate change;
- Raising awareness of climate change’s social effects on women and children among ASEAN policy makers and practitioners;
- Aligning national policies and programs with overarching ASEAN frameworks like the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint 2025 and ASEAN Climate Resilience Framework (ACRF);
- Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 focused on urgent climate action;
- Highlighting four thematic areas for intervention: policy frameworks and implementation; prevention, education, and awareness; resource mobilization and governance; and service delivery and support.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
While the dialogue does not establish new regulatory requirements, it signals ASEAN commitments to mainstream gender and child considerations into climate-related policies and programs. Stakeholders engaged in social development, environmental management, and community resilience initiatives can anticipate greater integration of gender-sensitive and child-friendly approaches within ASEAN frameworks and potentially at the national level.
Official Source
Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Cambodia. Facebook post dated February 14, 2026. https://www.facebook.com/mowa.gov.kh/posts/pfbid02AkmbhbuDeGeF4kQ6p7SbsEcrnKAk53UYkwbZkJMS9JWDRHXLFusV7PT47fpEt2dSl
