Cambodia, World Bank to expand cooperation on environment and community livelihoods

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Sept.30, 2025) — Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment and the World Bank are set to expand cooperation on environmental protection and community development, following a meeting Monday between Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth and Christophe Crépin, sector leader for environment and climate change in the East Asia and Pacific region at the World Bank.

The two sides discussed strengthening joint efforts to improve local livelihoods and preserve Cambodia’s natural resources, with a focus on transparency and sustainable development. Sophalleth emphasized the importance of green leisure initiatives and called for deeper collaboration on pollution control, waste management, plastic reduction, landfill infrastructure, and biodiversity protection.

“The Environment Ministry will continue working hard to ensure environmental sustainability and better management for the benefit of local communities,” Sophalleth said, urging development partners to support conservation and resource protection projects.

Crépin praised the ministry’s efforts under the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project (CSLEP), which aims to improve protected area management and promote ecotourism and non-timber forest product value chains in the Cardamom Mountains–Tonle Sap region.

The meeting reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to aligning environmental goals with national development strategies and enhancing cooperation with international partners.