On this Earth Day, 22 April 2024, the OCIC Group has unveiled the Green Oasis initiative, a long-term project with the goal of planting one million in Cambodia with a focus on urban landscapes.
The rapid urbanisation of the past 25 years has catalysed the need for such a significant environmental undertaking. The Green Oasis is poised to cultivate sustainable communities and bolster the presence of public green spaces.
The initiative's commencement was celebrated in Phnom Penh’s Koh Pich, heralded by the establishment of a one-hectare garden and a ceremonial tree planting. The event attracted over a hundred participants, including students from 7 to 17 years old, alongside representatives from partner organisations such as Happy Chandara and Toutes à l'école Luxembourg.
Endorsements have come from various sectors, including, PSE, People In Need, Camtech University, the Canadian International School of Phnom Penh, and Eurocham.
"We recognise the profound importance of the Green Oasis initiative," declared Thierry Tea, Vice-President of OCIC Group. "The trees we plant today are for the future – they will flourish over the next two to three decades. It's essential that we contribute to the development of sustainable environments. Today's assembly of students, parents, and dedicated supporters marks the beginning of an expansive journey. The presence of children here is particularly poignant – we undertake this for their future."
Khun Somavatey, a student from Toutes à l'école Luxembourg, emphasised the significance of green spaces for Cambodia's youth, offering them a place for learning and inspiration from nature, thus ensuring a lasting ecological heritage.
Koh Pich has undergone considerable development and now features over 2,000 trees, a scenic riverfront boardwalk, and multiple parks, all contributing to a greener community space,.
In 2023, OCIC has invested in an initiative to save some of the trees from the former Odom Garden. They have been part of the conservation program of OCIC and will be replanted in the new Koh Pich garden.
Additionally, the initiative from the private sector and NGOs, echo the Ministry of Environment’s goals of planting 1 million trees per year.
A stone's throw away, the Connexion community hub stands as a beacon of sustainable design, aiming to become a centre for innovation and sustainability.
Green spaces are the cornerstone of sustainable urban living, providing cooling shade, reducing energy needs, fostering recreation, supporting diverse life, and enhancing the overall quality of urban life.
Through the Green Oasis initiative, OCIC Group is at the forefront of promoting urban greenery, ensuring a verdant and vibrant future for the city's inhabitants.