Background
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) reported receiving a letter from Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cambodia. The letter was addressed to H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the NBC, and concerned UNDP Cambodia’s use of the national currency, the riel, in its activities.
Scope of Application
According to the NBC summary, UNDP Cambodia will adopt the riel for the agency’s operations and transactions. The announcement refers broadly to the institution’s operational and transactional activities in Cambodia, without specifying particular programs or sectors.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The key decision conveyed in the communication is UNDP Cambodia’s adoption of the riel as the currency for its institutional operations and transactions in Cambodia. The NBC notes this as an instance of cooperation and support for the use of the national currency. No additional operational details, timelines, or procedural requirements are specified in the source.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
While the announcement does not create new legal or regulatory obligations, it indicates growing institutional use of the riel in development agency operations in Cambodia. This may be relevant for entities engaging with UNDP Cambodia, as payments and transactions with the agency may increasingly be conducted in riel. The NBC highlights the decision as contributing to the broader promotion of riel usage in the domestic financial system.
Official Source
The information is based on a public communication from the National Bank of Cambodia summarizing a letter from the Resident Representative of UNDP Cambodia to the Governor of the NBC regarding the use of the riel in the agency’s operations and transactions.

