AKP Phnom Penh, August 25, 2026 -- The Ministry of Environment has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to protect natural resources, restore ecosystems, and improve the livelihoods of communities around the Tonle Sap Lake.

The commitment was made during a meeting between Cambodian Minister of Environment H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth and Ms. Sang Lee, WWF Regional Director for Southeast Asia, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Phnom Penh on Aug. 25.

In the meeting, the Minister noted that promoting livelihood development in protected areas specifically through giant grass planting initiatives, will help boost community incomes, reduce illegal logging, and provide clean energy options for factories and enterprises.

This replaces the burning of firewood and charcoal, which historically placed heavy pressure on natural timber, thereby offering significant benefits to the environment, he said.

The Minister also stated that the Ministry of Environment has been actively strengthening cooperation with relevant ministries, institutions, authorities at all levels, partner organisations, associations, civil society, and environmental enthusiasts to drive environmental conservation, natural resource protection, and climate change response.

Additionally, he encouraged joint collaboration on projects to plant trees and restore flooded forests in the Tonle Sap Lake area to protect and maintain the environment around the lake, as well as to prevent the loss of natural resources caused by climate change.

Ms. Sang Lee expressed her gratitude to H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, as well as the leadership and officials of the Ministry of Environment, for their strong past partnership in protecting and conserving natural resources.

WWF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting action plans under the Circular Strategy on Environment and the policies of the Royal Government of Cambodia to ensure cleanliness, greenness, and sustainability.

By Phal Sophanith