UNESCO and Cambodia Strengthen Cooperation on Natural Resource Management

Strategic Insights -

The UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, Sardar Umar Alam, paid a courtesy call to Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth, marking a significant step in the enhancement of collaboration between the two parties. The visit comes as the Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer (CMDA) project continues to address shared groundwater resources in the Mekong Delta between Vietnam and Cambodia. This project, financed by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, with oversight from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and collaboration with UNESCO, aims to promote sustainable use of groundwater resources and enhance transboundary recharge.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer (CMDA) project, financed by the Global Environment Facility, aims to manage shared groundwater resources in the Mekong Delta between Vietnam and Cambodia sustainably.
  • The project focuses on enhancing transboundary recharge and promoting sustainable use of groundwater, supporting cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam.
  • UNESCO Representative Sardar Umar Alam provided an update on the second CMDA RPSC meeting's results, highlighting ongoing cooperation under the CMDA project.
  • Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth suggested creating new biosphere reserves and geoparks in Cambodia, with Koh Sralao identified as a potential candidate for a carbon-neutral and plastic-free island.
  • The minister emphasized the importance of primary output and community ownership in ensuring sustainability and quality of products, such as the national beekeeping strategy.
  • The strategy aims to increase local honey production and improve community livelihoods, particularly in protected areas.

Statistics:

  • 100% of the CMDA project is financed by the Global Environment Facility.
  • The project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, with oversight from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and collaboration with UNESCO.
  • The national beekeeping strategy aims to increase local honey production and improve community livelihoods, particularly in protected areas.

Sources:

  • UNESCO
  • The Global Environment Facility
  • The Food and Agriculture Organisation
  • The International Union for Conservation of Nature