He had a dream that some day people and wildlife, including rare bird species would live side-by-side in harmony. And he was determined to make that dream come true. 

As team leader of the UNDP Energy and Environment programme, Lay Khim has advocated for the protection of nature and the preservation of rare bird species - some of which, like the giant ibis and the white shouldered ibis, are nearly extinct globally - so that his dream would become a reality.

Khim has had to overcome many challenges. He has set up programmes to educate people about the benefits of environmental protection. At the policy level, he actively advocates for support from the government to put the right policies and strategies into place.