Representatives from 10 NGOs in Cambodia have reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment on ecological protection and climate change initiatives, during a meeting with minister Eang Sophalleth recently.
The NGOs include World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Cambodia; Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia; Fauna & Flora International (FFI); Conservation International (CI); Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB); Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation (MJP); Working Environment Authority; NatureLife Cambodia; Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE); and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
WWF country director Seng Teak, speaking on behalf of the organisations, stated that they are eager to partner with the ministry on prioritised strategies.
“Our combined efforts allow us to achieve the objectives of preservation and sustainable development,” he said.
Sophalleth outlined the first phase of priority strategies for the new government mandate, focusing on reducing plastic waste, tree planting, promoting community-based ecotourism, striving for carbon neutrality and addressing climate change.
“We welcome cooperation that improves the livelihoods of our citizens, particularly those in remote areas,” he said.
The ministry said that to achieve its goals, it is in the process of institutional modernisation, refining operational methods and administrative and financial management. Power and functions are also being delegated to sub-national administrations.
Due to these measures, the ministry believes that the Kingdom is on track to attain upper-middle-income status by 2030 and high-income one by 2050.
