Cambodia’s forests, wildlife, rivers and wetlands take centre stage at a public awareness event in Phnom Penh this weekend, bringing the country’s rich natural heritage closer to urban residents, particularly young people who have limited opportunities to experience natural ecosystems firsthand, while encouraging greater public participation in wildlife protection and environmental conservation.
The inaugural “Amazing Nature of Cambodia” event will take place on October 24–25, from 11am to 8pm, at Aeon Hall on the third floor of AEON Mall Sen Sok City, under the theme “Appreciating the Value of Nature”.
The two-day event will bring together government institutions, conservation organisations, private businesses, local communities, educational institutions and youth groups to promote a greater understanding of Cambodia’s natural resources and the importance of protecting them for future generations.
According to an October 23 press release by the organisers, the event will showcase the country’s forests, rivers, wetlands and coastal ecosystems, highlighting their essential roles in providing clean water, food, livelihoods and cultural identity, as well as supporting tourism and the national economy.
Beyond celebrating Cambodia’s biodiversity, the initiative aims to raise awareness of wildlife protection, endangered species, wildlife crime prevention and the responsible use of media and social platforms to support conservation efforts.
Oum Sony, country director of Conservation International Cambodia and a representative of the event’s organising committee, said the initiative would provide a public platform for conservation organisations and communities to share their experiences, scientific knowledge and practical approaches to protecting nature.
He said the event was particularly intended to help young people better understand the relationship between nature and their everyday lives and recognise the role they could play in conservation.
“As a science-based conservation organisation, we have a responsibility to communicate scientific knowledge and evidence in accessible ways, while serving as a bridge among partners, mobilising resources and promoting cooperation so people and nature can thrive together in harmony,” he said.
Sony emphasised that making conservation knowledge more accessible and easier to understand was essential to encouraging broader public participation in protecting Cambodia’s natural heritage.
For young people living in cities, the event is intended to offer more than an opportunity to discover the country’s biodiversity. It will also provide a platform to engage with conservation experts, learn about environmental challenges and explore practical actions they can take to help protect nature.
Hak Socheata, a youth volunteer involved in organising the event, said environmental degradation and climate change should not be regarded as distant concerns simply because many young people live far from forests and wildlife habitats.
“Although I live in the city, climate change and the loss of natural resources are not distant issues. Nature protects and sustains us every day, and we have a responsibility to protect it in return,” she noted.
Socheata explained that volunteering had given her an opportunity to learn from conservationists and better understand the connection between natural ecosystems and human well-being.
She expressed hope that more young Cambodians would become involved in conservation, starting with practical actions within their own communities.
“We can start with what is within our reach, because every action, either large or small, can contribute to positive change,” she said.
Alongside environmental education, the event will highlight the relationship between conservation and community livelihoods, demonstrating how protecting natural resources can go hand in hand with sustainable economic activities.
Visitors will have opportunities to meet community representatives and learn about locally produced goods, exploring how responsible production and consumption can help conserve natural resources while supporting rural livelihoods.
Ung Samath, secretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said farmers and fishers depended heavily on land, water and other natural resources for their livelihoods and for producing the food consumed across the country.
He stressed that efforts to increase agricultural productivity and household income should be accompanied by the sustainable management of natural resources.
“When people understand where their food comes from and choose to support responsible production, they also contribute to community livelihoods and nature conservation,” he said.
Samath linked the initiative to the National Policy on Agricultural Development 2022–2030, which prioritises competitiveness, inclusion, climate resilience and sustainability.
Meanwhile, Khvay Atitya, spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, said changing public behaviour and encouraging participation from all sectors of society were essential to achieving Cambodia’s environmental goals.
He explained that the government’s Circular Strategy on Environment 2023–2028 placed public communication and behavioural change at the centre of efforts to promote cleanliness, greenness and sustainable development.
Major initiatives include campaigns to reduce plastic consumption, partnerships with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to promote “clean habits and a clean culture”, and the Green Sprouts campaign, which includes growing, distributing and planting at least one million trees annually.
“The success of these campaigns does not depend on any single institution. It requires the participation of every individual to build a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Cambodia for future generations,” Atitya said.
He described “Amazing Nature of Cambodia” as an initiative aligned with the government’s environmental strategy, providing another opportunity to share knowledge and cultivate greater public appreciation of nature.
The first day of the event will also feature a panel discussion bringing together government representatives, conservation organisations, journalists and youth groups to examine the role of responsible communication, social media and public engagement in protecting wildlife and endangered species.
Participants are expected to discuss practical conservation challenges and identify ways that institutions and individuals can contribute more effectively to preventing wildlife crime and safeguarding Cambodia’s natural heritage.
Tep Asnarith, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information, emphasised the importance of accurate, ethical and evidence-based reporting in raising public awareness of environmental protection.
He said journalists, media organisations, content creators, conservationists and community members had important roles in communicating factual stories about Cambodia’s natural resources and conservation efforts to both domestic and international audiences.
“Communicating about nature through clear sources and verified facts builds trust, promotes conservation, tourism and community development, and enhances Cambodia’s international reputation,” he said.
The event is supported by the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Tourism.
It is co-organised by Conservation International Cambodia, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Wild Earth Allies, Wonders of the Mekong, IBIS Rice, Sam Veasna Conservation Stays, WWF, NatureLife Cambodia, Fauna & Flora, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Private-sector partners, including AEON Mall Sen Sok City, Siempang Forest Lodge, Cardamom Tented Camp and Canvas & Orchids Retreat, are also supporting the initiative alongside educational institutions, media partners, youth groups and local communities.
The organisers hope the inaugural event will do more than introduce visitors to Cambodia’s extraordinary natural heritage. They aim to establish lasting cooperation among government agencies, conservation organisations, businesses, communities and young people, encouraging practical conservation activities that continue beyond the two-day gathering.
By bringing conservation knowledge into an accessible urban setting, the initiative seeks to demonstrate that protecting Cambodia’s forests, wildlife and ecosystems is not solely the responsibility of those living near protected areas, but a shared responsibility that extends to people across the country.