On December 23, 2024, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and UNIDO, hosted a consultation workshop to explore the integration of gender components and green economy principles into Cambodia’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policies.

The discussions focused on gender and green industry related policies, examining their alignment with Cambodia's Science, Technology, and Innovation Roadmap 2030.

In her opening address, H.E. Lay Navinn, Secretary of State of MISTI, said strengthening women’s economic empowerment in green industries requires increased women’s and girls’ education in STEM and their participation in science, technology and innovation. She described this as a catalyst for achieving sustainable, resilient, and inclusive development.

“Strengthening women’s economic empowerment in green industries presents a unique opportunity to address the gender gap and its root causes while simultaneously maximizing their contribution to realizing Cambodia 2030 and 2050 Vision,” she added.

Mr. Sok Narin, UNIDO Country Representative, said, “Digital technologies have the potential to create new opportunities for women to lead, participate in, and benefit from technological developments. However, without enabling policies, digital technologies can foster gender-based stereotypes and further marginalize women from economic and social activities.”

He shared recommendations from UNIDO’s Report on Gender, Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI), including promoting lifelong learning, integrating gender considerations into industrial and innovation strategies, and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships to close gender gaps in innovation and technology.

MISTI has launched its Gender Equality, Disability & Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Action Plan 2023-2028 with the aim of facilitating and promoting women’s participation in leadership structures in both public and private institutions and increasing women’s voices in programs at both the national and sub-national levels.

The workshop forms part of MISTI’s implementation of its GEDSI Action Plan under Phase II of the "Economic Empowerment of Women in Green Industry" (EEWiGI) global program, supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project aims to empower women in green industries through policy analysis, data collection, and stakeholder engagement, reinforcing the critical role of women in driving Cambodia’s sustainable development goals.