The Ministry of Environment held a December 27 consultative workshop to seek input on the drafting of a manual for environmental management. The National Council for Sustainable Development met with several specialised institutions to seek recommendations.

The event brought together representatives from the Senate, National Assembly, several ministries and the capital-provisional environment departments, provincial councils, development partners and the private sector.

Environment minister Say Samal said the manual aimed to gather ideas, visions and strategies that would highlight keys to solving environmental issues in line with changes in the Cambodian economic structure, now that the Kingdom enjoyed peace and political stability.

He added that the manual would describe measures for environmental issues and natural resource management, especially water resource and ecosystem protections. Through strengthening the use of clean, green techniques and cooperation with development partners, the ministry would respond effectively to climate change and development.

“It will also share information about climate science and technology, promoting green development in the fourth industry era. This would be in line with the socio-economic and cultural development of Cambodia, and the Kingdom’s vision for 2050, including the government’s Rectangular Strategy,” he said.

Van Monineath, head of the ministry’s General Department of Policy and Strategy, gave a presentation on preparations for the book, as did Ros Salin, ministry secretary of state and Volunteer Technical Adviser of the development council.

Several institutions offered their own contributions to the manual, which would lay out a six-point strategic plan to promote green development and the rotating economy.

“The manual will allow us to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, increase officials’ knowledge of environmental technology, and form eco-friendly alliances, while remaining accountable and efficient. The modern, autonomous management that it would allow would provide innovative financial solutions and serve as one of the Kingdom’s pillars of environmental diplomacy,” said the ministry.