Fifteen Cambodian officials will soon travel to the South Korea to strengthen their expertise in climate change education and sustainable waste management, as part of a broader efforts to improve Phnom Penh’s environmental resilience.
The officials, drawn from the Phnom Penh Capital Administration and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, are set to attend a two-week course titled “Capacity Building on Climate Change Education and Waste Disposal and Treatment in Phnom Penh City of Cambodia (2024–2026)”.
The programme, running from August 31 to September 13, is organized under the Korea International Cooperation Agency’s (KOICA) development partnership.
The training will emphasise practical approaches to climate change education and green infrastructure, while equipping participants with technical knowledge to address Phnom Penh’s mounting waste disposal challenges.
“Knowledge sharing is at the heart of sustainable development,” said Lee Sejin, deputy director of KOICA Cambodia, during a pre-departure orientation in Phnom Penh.
She reaffirmed KOICA’s commitment to building human capacity in Cambodia across vital sectors including environment, health, education and infrastructure.
During the orientation, officials were briefed on KOICA’s ongoing work in Cambodia, programme guidelines and ethical responsibilities abroad.
They also received advice on cultural adaptation in Korea and were introduced to post-training networking opportunities through the Cambodia-Korea Alumni Association (CAMKAA).
Kao Keopunloeu, an officer from the Enterprise for Managing Municipal Solid Waste in Phnom Penh and a KOICA alumnus, encouraged the new participants by sharing how his previous training had contributed to concrete improvements in municipal waste operations and strengthened his institution’s ability to respond to environmental challenges.
Both administration and ministry representatives underlined how the programme aligns closely with Cambodia’s current priorities in climate change education and municipal waste management, areas that require not only infrastructure but also skilled human resources to implement long-term solutions.
The initiative is part of KOICA’s multi-year cooperation with Cambodia aimed at supporting institutional development and advancing sustainable urban management.
Participants expressed gratitude to KOICA and the Korean government for investing in capacity building that directly supports Cambodia’s climate goals.
