GIZ and GGGI sign MoU for low-emission rice production in Kampong Thom
Phnom Penh – 11 August 2026, GIZ Cambodia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to formally establish a framework for enhanced coordination for low-emission rice practices and production. The MoU will oversee the collaboration of the Better Rice Initiative Cambodia (BRIC), implemented by GIZ, and the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation for Methane Mitigation (AKCMM), implemented by GGGI.
Mr. Ivo Litzenberg, Head of Component at GIZ, emphasized that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms the shared commitment of GIZ and GGGI to advancing Cambodia’s green, low-emission, and climate-resilient development. “With our partnership, we are bringing together complementary expertise, experience, and innovation to accelerate sustainable agriculture, promote circular economy solutions, and advance effective climate action for the benefit of Cambodia’s farmers, communities, and the environment.”
Ms. Anantaa Pandey, Senior Program Officer, GGGI, said, "By strengthening coordination between GGGI and GIZ, we aim to translate Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) into practical, on-the-ground opportunities for farmers — while advancing Cambodia's climate commitments under Article 6 and supporting the long-term sustainability of the rice sector.”
The collaboration will create synergies between the AWD activities implemented under BRIC and AKCMM, with an initial focus on Kampong Thom Province. The partnership will support the scaling of low-emission rice production practices, explore carbon market opportunities, and strengthen Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems and their practical implementation.
Joint activities will also include the co-development of training modules on AWD and collaborative research and data-monitoring approaches to strengthen the evidence base for low-emission of rice production. In parallel, BRIC and AKCMM will work together to increase awareness and market opportunities for low-emission rice and to identify viable technologies and business models for sustainable rice-straw management and utilization.
The BRIC project aims to improve sustainable rice production across the rice value chain. By fostering collaboration between public institutions, the private sector, research organizations, and farming communities, the project will reduce agricultural waste, improve resource use efficiency, create new economic opportunities, and contribute to Cambodia's climate and green growth objectives. The ultimate objective is to enhance the livelihoods of 30,000 rice farmers by promoting sustainable, low-emission agricultural practices and modern farming communities.
Effective until December 2027, MoU signifies an important partnership agreement. The ceremony highlighted the exciting partnership for the organizations, government counterparts, and the public.
