PHNOM PENH – In a significant move toward financial inclusion and client protection, many key organizations including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) jointly organized the Financial Sector and CSO Forum 2026 on 29 April 2026. This third forum was a collaborative effort between the Cambodia Microfinance Association (CMA), the Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC), the NGO Forum on Cambodia, Oxfam Cambodia and Fair Finance Cambodia (FFC).
Themed “Bridging Finance and Communities: A Dialogue for Responsible Growth,” the forum served as a vital bridge between financial institutions and community advocates. The primary goal was to ensure the evolution of the industry benefits all Cambodians through a transparent and responsible approach.
Objectives of the Forum
The gathering centered on four core pillars designed to strengthen the Cambodian financial landscape:
The agenda featured a series of presentations, roundtables, and small group discussions covering critical topics such as grievance redress mechanisms, progress reports from UN-NBC-led Multi-stakeholder Consultations, and the promotion of financial literacy.
Regulatory and Industry Perspectives
Addressing over 70 representatives, Mr. Men Pheakdey, Deputy Director General of Directorate General of Regulation and Financial Inclusion, the National Bank of Cambodia, emphasized the forum's role in gathering diverse perspectives. “The presence of all stakeholders on this occasion demonstrates a spirit of dedication and close cooperation between relevant institutions, civil society organizations, and industry associations in strengthening consumer protection,” he stated. “This collaboration supports the development of an inclusive and sustainable financial system in Cambodia—a task that requires the collective participation and cooperation of all parties.”
Mr. Rath Sophoan, Chairman of the ABC, highlighted the tangible policy shifts resulting from the previous forums, aligning with the Multi-stakeholders Consultation on Microfinance in Cambodia led by the NBC and the United Nations in Cambodia. He noted that the banking and finance sector has initiated several policies and frameworks to ensure transparency, integrity and accountability, including:
"Consumer protection within the banking and financial sectors cannot be implemented effectively without CSOs," Mr. Sophoan added. "You, as civil society representatives, serve as social monitors who help address development gaps and refine national social policies."
Prioritizing Client Wellbeing
During the event, H.E. Dith Nita, CMA Vice Chairwoman, highlighted that the success of the industry was inseparable from the health of its clients. “The growth of the banking and finance sector cannot be sustainable without a focus on the financial wellbeing of the people and a commitment to ethical and professional responsibility,” H.E. Nita stated. “Our primary goal is not just to provide financial services, but to provide services that genuinely improve people's livelihoods”.
She further noted that the CMA is committed to high-priority areas like responsible lending and financial literacy, viewing them as essential tools for mitigating risk and ensuring long-term success for both borrowers and institutions.
This collaborative effort marks a continued commitment to fostering a financial ecosystem in Cambodia that is both robust and socially responsible. However, Mr. Soeung Saroeun, Executive Director of the NGO Forum on Cambodia, which is a membership NGO with 300 CSO members, called for even more decisive action regarding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. He urged regulators and financial actors to prevent the financing of projects that cause social conflict or environmental harm, pushing for alignment with international standards.
Addressing Modern Challenges
Despite the progress made in complaint mechanisms and financial literacy outreach, stakeholders acknowledged ongoing hurdles, including low financial literacy in remote areas, informal lending risks, and the rise of online loan scams.
The forum concluded with a collective recommendation: financial players must intensify their efforts to bring financial education to every corner of Cambodia, ensuring that growth is not just rapid, but inclusive, sustainable and transparent.
A Legacy of Strategic Engagement
The 2026 forum builds upon a foundation of structured annual dialogues established to address the evolving needs of Cambodia's financial landscape. In 2023, the inaugural forum focused on "The Role of the Financial Sector and Consumer Protection Mechanisms," setting the stage for deeper transparency. This was followed by the 2024 edition, themed "Responsible Business Conduct and Consumer Protection," which expanded the scope to include international standards such as those from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). These past gatherings successfully united the NBC, CMA, ABC, and various Banking and Financial Institutions (BFIs) with civil society, ensuring that the progress discussed today is part of a consistent, multi-year roadmap toward social responsibility
