As part of the European Union’s global #ForOurPlanet campaign to promote environmental sustainability, the EU Delegation to Cambodia, together with embassies of EU Member States (Germany, France, Hungary), have organized a field visit to the Tonle Sap Biodiversity reserve on 30-31 January. The visit was led by the H.E. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment of the Government of Cambodia, Ambassador of the EU, H.E. Igor Driesmans and of Germany, H.E. Stefan Messerer. The visit offered an intimate look into biodiversity conservation, forestry protection, and environmental sustainability – a testament to the broader EU #ForOurPlanet campaign echoing its commitment to environmental sustainability worldwide.

The Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, a globally significant wetland ecosystem in Cambodia, not only harbours a diverse range of flora and fauna but is also a lifeline for local communities, contributed to their daily needs.

During the field visit, participants explored the rich biodiversity and unique ecological landscape of the Tonle Sap region, where they observed waterbirds at Prek Toal Ramsar and met with local communities and authorities in conserving the lake's biodiversity, promoting sustainable forestry practices, and protecting local communities' livelihoods. Guided tours to project sites of the EU funded “Our Tonle Sap” Project, implemented by a consortia led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) provided valuable insights into the challenges and successes of conservation efforts, sustainable resource management, and community engagement in environmental protection.

EU Ambassador to Cambodia, Igor Driesmans, expressed the significance of the visit: “The #ForOurPlanet campaign reflects the EU's profound commitment to safeguarding our planet. Today’s visit to Tonle Sap Biodiversity Reserve is a testament to our active engagement in preserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable practices, and supporting local communities in Cambodia. Together with the the NGO’s and CSO’s implementing our various projects, our Member States and the Government of Cambodia, our collective action aims to ensure resilient ecosystems, communities, and biodiversity withstand rapid environmental changes in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve.”

The Ambassador of Germany to Cambodia, Stefan Messerer added: “Germany provided considerable funds to improve the income generation of the local communities in the Ramsar Sites Prek Toal and Stung Treng. This is important in order to protect biodiversity and ecosystems along the Mekong. I think that all transboundary Water Cooperation Projects supported by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) are of imminent importance.

The MRC also supports transboundary projects with Thailand and Laos for better drought management, including a component for monitoring plastic pollution in the lower Mekong Basin. These activities are being supported by Germany as well.

Furthermore, Germany supports the MRC and their National Mekong Committees to become more efficient to deal with the increasing environmental challenges in the Mekong region, also caused by climate change.“

Minister of Environment, H.E. Eang Sophalleth, urges to promote conservation, community engagement and empowerment, research and development, scientific sound policy, and climate resilience. Through continued conservation efforts and these approaches, we will safeguard its biodiversity, ensure food security for millions, and preserve the ecological balance of this unique wetland. He stated that: “I strongly hope that our action today here at Prek Toal will have a more positive impact on the conservation and protection of flooded forests and the Tonle Sap Lake as a whole, to secure the future of the Tonle Sap Lake and its irreplaceable ecological web. In addition, I hope that such action will actively spread across our country.”

Background:

#ForOurPlanet campaign and the visit to Tonle Sap underscores the EU's commitment to fostering international collaboration, blending environmental sustainability with diplomatic endeavors for a resilient and sustainable future.

The EU funded “Our Tonle Sap” Project, implemented by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia, is worth USD 5,3 million (EUR 4.9 million). It is a 4-year action (2021- 2024) implemented by a consortium led by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) together with RECOFTC, NatureLife Cambodia, SHE enterprises, Oxfam, CDPO, ForumCiv and Sansom Mlup Prey Organization as an affiliated entity. These partners help build resilience to ongoing environmental change in ecosystems, communities and biodiversity in the TSBR, via a multi-scaled, integrated landscape approach to support efforts to build resilience in the Tonle Sap, demand sustainable development practices and policies and spread awareness about the importance of the Tonle Sap. It is the first landscape project implemented in Cambodia.

The EU’s fund support underscores its commitment to sustaining the delicate balance between environmental preservation and community well-being in the Tonle Sap region.

+ DE program background

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), through KfW, funded a recently completed 8-year (2016-2023) project called “Lower Mekong Basin Wetland Management and Conservation,” which was implemented in Cambodia and Laos, with a total funding of EUR 4 million for each country, in cooperation with MRC Secretariat (MRCs), National Mekong Committees and Environmental Ministries of both countries. This project contributed to the sustainable rehabilitation, conservation and management of wetlands ecosystem services, improved the livelihood of local communities in the selected wetlands sites including Prek Toal Ramsar sites, and increased capacity of key stakeholders in sustainable wetlands management. At regional level, the project supported the MRC Secretariat (MRCs) in the development of a wetland database and knowledge management system for the dissemination of best practices in wetland management in the Lower Mekong Basin. With the support from the project, the Prek Toal Ramsar-site Core Area Management Centre building in Battambang Province was inaugurated in 2022.

In addition to that, Germany also provided more than 6 Mio. EUR for the technical cooperation supporting joint projects on flood and drought management between Cambodia and Thailand and another joint project in the 3 S Region (Sekong, Sesan, Srepok rivers) between Cambodia and Laos is under preparation. Furthermore, Germany supports the finalization of the Riverine Plastic Monitoring Programme (RPM) protocols and the associated development of a systematic approach to the long-term monitoring of plastic pollution of the Mekong including capacity building and provision of laboratory equipment for the implementation of the monitoring.

Germany stands ready to continuously support Cambodia in its endeavour to protect the Tonle Sap region and the planet.

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For further information, please contact Mr Tihamér CZIKA, Head of the Press and Information Section of the EU Delegation, Tel. 023 220 611 or E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Jost Kadel, Head of Press Section of the German Embassy Phnom Penh, Tel. +855 23 216 193 or E-Mail: [email protected]

Min of Envi press contact: Mrs. Heng Sokny, Information Attaché, Tel. +855 12 891 102