On the afternoon of November 2, 2026, Environment Minister Dr. Eang Sophalleth received Ms. Rebekah Bell, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representative in Cambodia, for a courtesy call and working discussion at the ministry as she concluded her assignment in Cambodia.
At the start of the meeting, Ms. Bell highlighted several major achievements through which FAO had actively supported Cambodia’s environment sector. These included cooperation on climate change, forest restoration and strengthening the climate resilience of community livelihoods through relevant partnerships. She expressed full support for the Circular Strategy on Environment, which has been put into action to promote a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Cambodia.
In response, Mr. Eang Sophalleth praised the strategic partnership with FAO. While congratulating it on past achievements, he emphasized major challenges facing the world and Cambodia, including plastic waste, climate change and the severe impacts of El Niño in the period ahead. He also stressed a joint commitment to continue mobilizing resources and technology to implement plans for protecting natural protected areas, safeguarding ecosystems and sustainably improving people’s livelihoods.
To ensure effective protection and response, the minister also outlined clear plans to mobilize participation, strengthen preparedness and undertake emergency interventions. He described plans to establish a discussion forum for joint preparedness and response to these disasters, involving all relevant parties, including the public and private sectors and national and international partners.
For the immediate period, the Ministry of Environment is considering strict measures and issuing guidance to local authorities and communities to exercise greater caution when using fire, to prevent forest fires caused by global warming and El Niño. It is also working to strengthen the preservation of natural water sources in protected areas so that all wildlife can access them.
By: Srey Pi
