Current Situation in Cambodia: Politics, Economy, Rights, Environment

Political Landscape (2024)

• One-Party Dominance: CPP holds all 125 National Assembly seats (2023 election). Opposition (CNRP) dissolved (2017); leaders exiled/jailed.
• Leadership Transition: Hun Manet (son) became PM August 2023; Hun Sen remains CPP President, Senate President.
• Repression: Laws on unions, NGOs, internet tightened. UN experts condemn civic space closure.

Economy

• Growth: ~5–6% (post-COVID rebound). Garments, footwear, travel goods, agriculture, tourism.
• Challenges: Low value-added, skills gap, corruption (CPI 2023: 158/180), Chinese debt (BRI), LDC graduation (2027) threatens trade preferences.

Human Rights

• Arbitrary detention, unfair trials, harassment of activists, journalists, unions.
• EBA (Everything But Arms) partial withdrawal by EU (2020) over rights.

Environment

• Deforestation (illegal logging, concessions), Tonlé Sap degradation, sand mining, plastic waste.
• Climate vulnerability: floods, droughts, sea-level rise.

Geopolitics

Close China alignment (aid, investment, naval base Ream). Balancing US/Japan/India engagement. ASEAN chair 2022.