Cambodia gears up for World Cleanup Day 2024 in September as part of the “Clean Cambodia! Khmer Can Do!” campaign. River Ocean Cleanup
The upcoming 6th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Environment Ministers’ Meeting (EMM-6), set to be hosted by Cambodia next week, will focus on tackling plastic pollution across the Mekong region.
The meeting will take place from September 10 to 13 and is expected to bring together environment ministers from six Mekong countries, along with representatives from various ministries, institutions, development partners, embassies and both national and international guests.
Delegates will review and discuss important strategic documents to enhance cooperation for achieving the vision of a clean, green and sustainable GMS, aiming to build a bright, shared future for the region, according to a press release by the Ministry of Environment.
"In implementing environmental protection, sustainable development in line with global trends, climate change mitigation and plastic pollution prevention, the [EMM-6] and related meetings are planned to review and approve Phnom Penh Joint Statement on the Prevention of Plastic Pollution in the GMS," the ministry stated.
Additionally, the 2030 Strategic Framework for Accelerating Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability will also be reviewed and approved.
The ministry noted that the meeting will also feature exhibitions showcasing contributions to environmental and natural resource management by ministries, institutions, development partners, companies, enterprises, associations and various cooperating organisations.
Heng Kimhong, president of the Cambodian Youth Network (CYN), observed that the GMS is facing many challenges that raise environmental concerns. He said these include the construction of hydropower dams, deforestation, irresponsible mining activities and the joint management of the Mekong River.
"At the meeting, the environment ministry should bring these issues to discuss, including water governance, sand dredging and other activities that pose risks to the region's ecological and environmental systems," he said.
Kimhong added that the region's ministers should engage in thorough discussions to formulate a unified approach to addressing these problems and ensuring the health of the Mekong.
EMM-5, held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2018 approved the Joint Statement of the Environment Ministers of the GMS, highlighting the progress made by all countries through the implementation of the Core Environment Programme (CEP) and Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2018–2022, which featured six key projects to be implemented in the third phase of the CEP.
The meeting emphasised strong cooperation between the countries of the GMS and related partners, focusing on green economic development, natural resource management and strengthening resilience to climate change, according to the ministry.
The GMS countries include China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
