Background
The National Bank of Cambodia co-organised the Fourth High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on microfinance with the United Nations in Cambodia on 20 August 2026 in Phnom Penh. Participants reported that 16 of the 22 priority actions adopted on 12 July 2024 had been fully implemented while six remained under implementation at the time of the meeting.
Multi-stakeholder consultations serve as a governance mechanism to coordinate implementation of a priority-actions framework that addresses regulatory, institutional and market-level measures affecting the microfinance sector. The sector includes banking institutions, licensed microfinance providers, industry associations and development partners that together shape access to small-scale credit and savings services in Cambodia.
Key Developments
The Fourth High-Level Consultation convened government ministries and national institutions, the United Nations, the Association of Banks in Cambodia, the Cambodia Microfinance Association, banking and financial institutions, development partners and investors. The session focused on a progress review of the 22 priority actions adopted in July 2024 and on next steps to complete outstanding items.
Institutional Role
The dialogue was co-chaired by H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, and Ms. Vladanka Andreeva, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cambodia, reflecting a joint role for the central bank and the UN in facilitating sector coordination. Industry associations and development partners participated to align implementation priorities across public and private stakeholders.
Policy Context
The 22 priority actions provide a sector-level roadmap agreed in July 2024 for coordinating reforms and initiatives in Cambodia’s microfinance ecosystem. Monitoring the status of those actions is intended to support continuity in regulatory, operational and investor-focused measures affecting microfinance institutions and related financial services.
