Preah Sihanouk Province: A workshop sharing the achievements of the “Building Resilience of Cambodian Communities Using Natural Infrastructure and Promoting Diversified Livelihoods (NI Cambodia)” project was held at the Riva Hotel in Sihanoukville on the morning of November 6, 2026. The workshop demonstrated the shared commitment of the Ministry of Environment, local authorities and stakeholders to conserving natural resources and improving local people’s livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, Meung Sopheap, Acting Director of the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Department of Environment, highlighted the important role of coastal ecosystems, particularly the mangroves in Prey Nob District. They provide natural protection against storms and waves, absorb and store carbon, and provide habitat for fish. Amid the challenges of climate change and resource degradation, the NI Cambodia project has helped address these problems through ecosystem restoration and greater community resilience. The provincial department also pledged continued close cooperation with all parties to advance sustainable development.
Meas Sophal, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment, thanked the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for funding and supporting the project. He highlighted the ministry’s “Green Sprouts” campaign, through which approximately five million seedlings have been distributed free of charge, in line with the Circular Strategy on Environment 2023–2028. The NI Cambodia project has planted approximately 30,000 mangrove seedlings in Prey Nob District, Preah Sihanouk Province, and Koh Sralau, Koh Kong Province. It has also established environmentally friendly mud crab and mussel farming sites for four fishing communities in Prey Nob. The next step is to expand this successful model to other coastal areas, helping Cambodia achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. By Pai Sokhim.
Photos: Lay Chanda.
