The NGO Forum on Cambodia had its beginnings in the 1980s in an international NGO campaign to advocate an end to the aid embargo then imposed on Cambodia.  Since then, the NGO Forum has continued to evolve in response to changing external conditions.  

Following the full restoration of development aid in 1993, the NGO Forum became more Cambodian based.  It began to work on a broader range of issues, such as an international ban on land mines, creation of a permanent tribunal for crimes against humanity, and concerns about the impacts of development aid. It appointed a Representative in 1995.  Although based in Phnom Penh and focusing increasingly on domestic advocacy issues, the NGO Forum was still dominated by expatriates. An international Steering Committee was retained until 1996, after which the local Management Committee became the chief decision making body.

From 1997 to 2001, the NGO Forum became much more Cambodian in character, with meetings held predominately in Khmer and with Cambodians playing the dominant role in NGO Forum activities.  This reflected the growing level of responsibility taken by Cambodians in both local and international NGOs.  A five-year Strategic Plan, adopted in 1999, reflected these changes.  The NGO Forum also expanded its staff in order to meet more effectively the expectations of member organisations. It began to improve cooperation with NGOs based in the provinces, and to help NGOs build advocacy-linkages from the grassroots to the national level.  Issues dealt with over this time period included the landmines campaign, the environment, the impact of development banks, women's rights, the growth of civil society and democracy, the strengthening of advocacy skills, and the need for policy makers to have easy access to information about Cambodia. 

The Action Plan for 2002-2003 focused on strengthening NGO Forum's work on a limited number of priority issues.  These priorities were chosen for their importance to Cambodia's development and for the unique role that the NGO Forum is able to play on these issues.  One of the projects, the Fisheries Livelihoods Project, underwent a process of separation from NGO Forum to become a separate NGO entitled the Fisheries Action Coalition Team.  In mid-2003, the NGO Forum began discussions on its plan for 2004-2005. 

The NGO Forum has maintained an excellent reputation with the local and international media and representatives of bilateral and multilateral organizations. It is well respected among its international network of supporters. As one of the two longest standing NGO umbrella groups, it has a presence with Cambodian government officials and its work has been well received in the international Consultative Group process.

For further information, please contact the NGO Forum at ngoforum@ngoforum.org.kh.