The Ministry of Environment and the World Bank have agreed to strengthen and expand their cooperation in supporting local community livelihoods, environmental protection and natural resource conservation in Cambodia — especially in the Cardamom Mountain range and the Tonle Sap landscape.
This agreement emerged during a September 29 working meeting between Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, and Christophe Crepin, practice manager in the South Asia Region, vice-president for the Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy Global Practice at the World Bank.
According to the ministry, Crepin highlighted the World Bank’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the government of Cambodia, via the ministry, to ensure better livelihood development for local communities and stronger protection of the environment and natural resources.
Crepin praised the ministry’s efforts and past cooperation with the World Bank, which have produced strong results through the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project (CSLEP). The project has supported the development of green infrastructure, new livelihood options for local communities and the protection and conservation of natural resources in protected areas — aligning with Cambodia’s national policies and strategies, including the Circular Strategy on Environment.
Sophalleth emphasised the strong partnership. He noted that the cooperation has supported the ministry’s strategies and contributed to grassroots development — particularly the advancement of green development goals. Continued joint commitment is essential to ensure economic benefits for local communities and sustainable development in Cambodia.
He encouraged further cooperation, with a focus on transparency and clear objectives. Key areas include preventing environmental pollution, managing waste and plastics, improving waste disposal infrastructure, conducting environmental assessments, managing natural resources and conserving biodiversity within protected areas.
“The minister stated that the environment ministry is striving to ensure the success of these efforts and guarantee environmental sustainability for local communities, while also improving overall environmental management,” said a ministry statement.
He encouraged development partners to enhance their participation in advancing environmental protection and natural resource management projects to achieve concrete and improved outcomes in the future.
The CSLEP project, funded by the World Bank, aims to strengthen the protection of natural protected areas and promote ecotourism development in two major landscapes from 2020 to 2027: the Cardamom Mountain range and the Tonle Sap landscape. These cover six provinces: Koh Kong, Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang and Siem Reap.
