CDRI is an independent Cambodian development policy research institute. CDRI's vision is for a peaceful, prosperous and more equitable Cambodia that has made significant progress in sustainable socio-economic development and poverty reduction, based on high levels of growth and economic diversification, agricultural and rural development, the strengthening of democratic development and public institutions, improved management of natural resources, and social development in education, health and gender equity. CDRI's mission, values, operating principles, and programme structure reflect this vision.

As an independent Cambodian development policy research institute, CDRI's mission is to contribute to Cambodia's sustainable development, and the well-being of its people, through the generation of high quality policy-relevant development research, knowledge dissemination and capacity development. CDRI works to achieve this mission in partnership with Cambodian public institutions and civil society, and their regional and international development partners, with respect for the capacity of the Cambodian people and their institutions, for the value of local knowledge and experience, and for Cambodia's history and culture.

CDRI produces independent, objective, high quality, policy-relevant development research, and works to maximise its relevance, accessibility and usefulness to policy makers, influencers and stakeholders, on five inter-related themes:

1. Economy, trade and regional cooperation
2. Agriculture and rural development
3. Democratic governance and public sector reform
4. Natural resources and the environment
5. Social development.

These five themes are reflected in CDRI's research management structure. CDRI's research is multidisciplinary. Its Cambodia 2020 Research Strategy emphasises cross-programme collaboration on the major cross-cutting issues of sustainability, poverty reduction, governance and institutional arrangements, gender equity, and conflict prevention and resolution.

CDRI undertakes its programmes and projects in partnership with Cambodian government agencies and their international development partners, other research and tertiary education institutions –national, regional and international, the private sector and civil society. CDRI seeks to build partnerships that are committed to:

1. Development of the abilities of the Cambodian people, their government and institutions;
2. Understanding of and respect for the local circumstances that determine sustainable development outcomes – political, institutional, economic, social, cultural and historical;
3. Ownership and control of development programmes and results by Cambodians and their institutions;
4. Longer term support for the sustainable growth of CDRI and the development of the professional qualifications, skills and expertise of its staff.

CDRI has 97 staff including management, professional and technical staff, operations and support staff, of whom 94 are Cambodians. Many of our staff, after being trained at CDRI, go on to contribute to other Cambodian and international organisations involved in their country's development.