The Ministry of Environment has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting natural protected areas through stronger law enforcement and cooperation with stakeholders. They aim to not only to conserve biodiversity habitats and forests but also develop these areas as destinations for domestic and international green tourism.
Environment minister Eang Sophalleth reiterated the ministry’s position during an October 21 meeting with EU ambassador to Cambodia Igor Driesmans.
He also noted that Cambodia supports the use of satellite technology and artificial intelligence (AI) research to monitor illegal logging and land encroachment in a timely manner.
Sophalleth also stressed the importance of promoting climate-smart, low-carbon agriculture to ensure farming activities do not harm protected areas while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
He highlighted the results of the ministry’s campaign to reduce plastic use, which he claimed has involved more than 14 million participants, including students.
He also shared other initiatives, which have sought to turn individual efforts into a broader movement to reduce plastic consumption, improve waste disposal and sorting, and encourage public clean-up activities.
These efforts align with the development of smart cities and the goal of creating clean, pollution-free communities, he noted.
A ministry statement explained that Cambodia-EU environmental cooperation had been strengthened and expanded through the meeting.
Driesmans reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to continuing its strategic partnership with Cambodia, supporting environmental protection, climate change response efforts and the development of sustainable green communities.