A/HRC/42/60/Add.1 B. The Cambodian approach 10. The Cambodian Government recognises the need to ensure that no one is left behind. In 2019, Cambodia adopted its localisation plan for the Sustainable Development Goals. This gives specific effect to certain elements of the government’s Rectangular Strategy. In its CSDGs Framework 2016-2030, the Government notes that ‘the principle of leaving no one behind, and the need to address goals, and areas or population groups, which lag behind others is a foremost consideration” and that “going forward, emerging disparities and inequalities will be a key marker in identifying priorities.” 12 This reflects a government commitment to reduce inequalities. Given the pace of development in Cambodia, there is a need to ensure that all Cambodians benefit from the country’s continuing economic progress. The Government also notes that the ‘unfinished business’ under the Cambodian Millennium Development Goals (CMDGs) falls within such prioritized issues, and that subnational analysis underlined provincial disparities, particularly evident on the poverty goal and public service CMDGs. In 2014, poverty incidence was estimated to be as high as 29 per cent in Rattanakiri and Oddar Meanchey, while nutritional deficiencies have appeared to rank above 40 per cent in Preah Vihear and Kampong Chhnang. 13 The Government does acknowledge that the elimination of food or extreme poverty is ‘an important success’ and something the Government is aware is a long term process.14 11. It is a concern that some vulnerable individuals and groups are not referred to explicitly in the CSDG framework. For example, indigenous peoples are not mentioned in any of the indicators. The Special Rapporteur encourages the Government, and in particular sub-national authorities in charge of delivering social and other public services, to pay attention to the rights of indigenous peoples as a foremost consideration. It is estimated that over 97 per cent of the population is ethnic Khmer, and that in addition to the small groups of indigenous ethnic minorities, the rest of the population comprises of small groups of Khmer Islam/ Cham (1.2 per cent), Vietnamese (0.1 per cent) and Chinese (0.1 per cent). 15 The national census undertaken in March 2019 should provide more detailed statistical information. Other vulnerable groups have been considered in the CSDG framework. While no mentions are made in the narrative, the national targets relating to Goal 4 on Inclusive Education, and Goal 10 on Reducing Inequalities demand monitoring of the percentage of schools with adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities (CSDG 4.a.3) and tracking the proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities (CSDG 10.2.1). Further efforts will be needed to streamline data, as estimates of the number and proportion of Cambodians with disability have varied between successive national surveys in ways that could not be explained by the passage of time.16 As the substantive report notes,17 disaggregated data is key to evidencing whether people are left behind and also to identifying who may be left behind. 12. On 27 May 2019, Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen referenced these issues speaking at UNESCAP in Bangkok. He noted that Cambodia had achieved strong economic growth at a rate of 7.7% over the last two decades and become one of the world’s fastest growing economies, graduating from low-income to lower middle income country in 2015.18 He also highlighted a decline in the poverty rate and his view that ‘inclusive and peaceful development are necessary conditions for strengthening and ensuring peace and social stability’. The government has proclaimed its support for efforts to promote inclusive development to benefit all Cambodians.19 Indeed the CSDG Framework highlights the UNDP 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 6 Cambodian Sustainable Development Goals (CSDGs) framework (2016-2030), approved by Council of Ministers in full cabinet meeting on 19 November 2018, p 41. CSDGs Framework, p. 17. CSDGs Framework, p. 17. OECD (2017) “Youth Well-being Policy Review of Cambodia”, http://www.oecd.org/countries/cambodia/Youth-well-being-policy-review-Cambodia.pdf See the 2008 National Census, the 2012 Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey, the 2013 Cambodia Inter-Censal Population Survey or the 2014 Cambodia Demographic Health Survey (CDHS). A/HRC/42/60. http:///m.en.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/localnews/14090-2019-05-27-05-28-55.html. CSDG Framework 2016-2030.