The final day of the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Week 2023 was marked with a Mekong River shoreline cleanup event on October 22. ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY
The final day of the EU-ASEAN Green Diplomacy Week 2023 was marked with a Mekong River shoreline cleanup event on October 22.
The event, held at Princess Prachnha Barami Park, in Phnom Penh’s Chroy Changvar district, was organised by the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the EU embassy, the Phnom Penh City Hall Administration and River Ocean Cleanup in Cambodia. It aimed to raise awareness of the environmental issues facing the countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth addressed the event, describing the week’s events as significant, as they were the result of joint action between the EU and ASEAN, and not just Cambodia.
He explained that the issue of plastic pollution in the Mekong River is a complex transboundary environmental problem that requires joint action and active participation by people from all walks of life, both domestically and internationally.
He said the event highlighted the importance of international cooperation in addressing environmental issues and promoting a sustainable future which is free of plastic waste.
Sophalleth noted that the Mekong River has encountered many problems in the past few years, including low water flows, flooding and droughts. He ascribed the issues to climate change and infrastructure development that does not take ecosystems into account, as well as pollution.
He added that studies have shown that more than 37,000 tonnes of plastic waste flows from the Mekong River into the sea each year, affecting the ecosystem, health and well-being of the many people who depend on the river.
“Much of the plastic waste will become micro-plastics that are difficult to see. Fish will consume them, adding toxicity to the food chain and affecting human health,” he said.
He explained that the ministry is currently implementing the “Today I Will Not Use Plastic Bags” campaign in schools across the country. He claimed that so far, the campaign had reached more than 1.6 million students.
“We believe that this campaign is setting a good example for the region. We have invited our neighbouring countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion – and other ASEAN countries – to join us in saying no to plastic bags,” he added.
New EU ambassador to Cambodia Igor Driesmans also attended the event, noting that the cleanup was an excellent way for people to participate in climate change action, something which required everyone to work together.
He praised Cambodia’s commitment to climate policies which would ensure a green economic growth model.
“Green change depends not only on the government, but on all of us. It is our shared responsibility. Only by working together and participating can we can achieve the goal of a green future,” he said.
Im Ron Hassan, Phnom Penh deputy governor, warned that the capital’s population is increasing, and added that at present, Phnom Penh generates approximately 3,700 tonnes of garbage per day.
He noted that the administration pays close attention to the problem of waste management, and that three garbage collection companies are contracted to provide waste collection and transportation.
“The waste management situation in Phnom Penh is steadily improving. I am very optimistic about the situation, and expect that the public will continue to dispose of their rubbish in the correct manner,” he added.
