Cambodian tie-up to promote business practices that advance children's rights

International Business Chamber of Cambodia, UNICEF sign three-year MoU.

A new partnership between UNICEF and the International Business Chamber of Cambodia (IBC) seeks to improve outcomes for children through responsible business.

UNICEF Representative-Designate to Cambodia Maha Damaj pointed out: "Children's futures are shaped not only by governments and families, but also by the decisions made in boardrooms, factories, offices, and workplaces across the country.

"The business community has a tremendous opportunity to drive innovation, create opportunities for young people, and contribute solutions to some of Cambodia's most pressing development challenges. We are excited to partner with IBC to help translate this potential into meaningful action for children."    

The goal of the tie-up is to help companies better understand how their products and services, technology, employment practices, environmental impact, and community investments influence children's lives.

The plan is to jointly encourage greater understanding of how child rights can be integrated into business operations and decision-making.

"Cambodia's children and young people are its future workforce, entrepreneurs, and business leaders," said IBC Chair Paul Clements. "IBC members are already actively engaged in areas including education, health, road safety, and skills development, and this partnership gives us an opportunity to build on that work with UNICEF's expertise.

"By bringing the private sector into these discussions, we can identify practical ways businesses can contribute to creating stronger opportunities for the next generation and to Cambodia's long-term growth."

Represented by a three-year Memorandum of Understanding, the collaboration is guided by the UNICEF-developed framework known as the Children's Rights and Business Principles.