Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 20 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged the Ministry of Environment, National Council for Sustainable Development, relevant ministries and institutions to effectively implement the Environmental Chakra Strategy to expand the forest cover in Cambodia to combat climate change and participate in protecting regional and global environment.
The premier spoke on Thursday (Dec. 21) at the Ministry of Environment's annual meeting.
Premier Hun Manet highlighted that satellite imagery reveals a staggering depletion of one-third of the world's total forest cover, with half of this loss occurring in the 21st century. Furthermore, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have surged by approximately four billion tons per decade since 1980.
Samdech Thipadei continued, despite Cambodia being a low emitter of greenhouse gases, the nation has suffered severe consequences from climate change, manifesting in recurrent floods and extended droughts. These adverse climatic events have not only impacted the lives of the population but also posed challenges to national development initiatives.
The premier reiterated Cambodia’s high commitment in addressing this environment issue and active participation in the international community at both the regional and global levels.
The Royal Government of Cambodia, through the Ministry of Environment, focused on sustainable development towards carbon neutrality, empowering communities through the introduction of a long-term carbon-neutral strategy, which reflected Cambodia's commitment to engaging with the world in responding to climate change, as well as preserving and enhancing the greenery of the planet for future generations. In this regard, the prime minister praised the “planting at least one million trees every year” campaign initiated by the Ministry of Environment.
Samdech Thipadei conveyed his optimism that through the conservation and replanting of trees, Cambodia's forest cover could be expanded to 60 percent, making a significant contribution to global initiatives aimed at preventing climate change. Underscoring the positive impact of tree planting, Samdech Thipadei expressed confidence in its ability to uphold and enhance ecosystem services that directly benefit the people. These services include support for fishing, non-timber forest products, tourism, and the overall improvement of human resources' well-being and environmental health.
At the same time, in order to ensure the sustainability of Cambodia's environment, Samdech Thipadei recommended to the Ministry of Environment to further promote the "Environmental Chakra Strategy". At the same time, the Ministry of Environment must set up a specific mechanism to monitor and evaluate the implementation of this strategy and request cooperation from the relevant ministries and institutions in order to successfully implement the national strategy.
On the occasion, Premier Hun Manet also called on all relevant institutions, the private sector and development partners to cooperate with the Ministry of Environment to promote more efficient use of energy and promote the use of clean energy to reduce carbon emissions in line with conservation policies and long-term carbon-neutral development towards zero carbon emissions.
=FRESH NEWS
