Environmental experts meet to look at country strategy
Phnom Penh, 25 March 2008: National and international environmental experts and practitioners are meeting for two days to review Cambodia's national strategy for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and to assess lessons learnt from implementation of projects funded under this global fund.
GEF is an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries for projects that benefit the global environment and promote sustainable livelihoods in local communities. GEF grants support projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants.
Since 2000, GEF has provided grants for more than 20 projects in Cambodia.
The Global Environment Facility supports the organization of National Dialogues to strengthen country ownership and involvement in projects it co-finances. After the first GEF national dialogue in 2001, a number of GEF funded projects have been successfully implemented including to assist the conservation of critical conservation areas like the Tonle Sap and Northern Plains, to reduce ozone-depleting substances, and to implement international environmental conventions. GEF has also supported community organizations to promote environmental protection at the local level.
"Seven years after the first National Dialogue was held, several GEF-funded initiatives have contributed toward the achievement of Cambodia's environmental sustainability and the eradication of extreme poverty," said Jo Scheuer, UNDP Country Director, at the opening of the conference.
There are global environmental challenges that require strong partnerships at the country level. These are the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, land degradation and desertification, climate change, persistent organic pollutants, water issues and the depletion of the ozone layer.
"Evidence clearly shows that drought, land degradation, degraded water supplies and biodiversity loss, increasingly related to climate change, are undermining and reversing development efforts and adversely affect the lives of the poor, often the most vulnerable, and especially women," said Jo Scheuer.
Cambodia's rural poor depend heavily on natural resources for income, employment, food, fuel and medicines. This makes them vulnerable to climate change. The effective management of ecosystems can secure livelihoods and increase options for sustainable economic growth and human development.
It is expected that during this two-day dialogue, representatives from various ministries, development partners and NGOs will discuss national priorities for the use of GEF funding in Cambodia and come up with a national GEF strategy.
For more information please contact: Men Kimseng at 012 555 605 or e-mail at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or Margaret Lamb at 012 707 457 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Since 2000, GEF has provided grants for more than 20 projects in Cambodia.
The Global Environment Facility supports the organization of National Dialogues to strengthen country ownership and involvement in projects it co-finances. After the first GEF national dialogue in 2001, a number of GEF funded projects have been successfully implemented including to assist the conservation of critical conservation areas like the Tonle Sap and Northern Plains, to reduce ozone-depleting substances, and to implement international environmental conventions. GEF has also supported community organizations to promote environmental protection at the local level.
"Seven years after the first National Dialogue was held, several GEF-funded initiatives have contributed toward the achievement of Cambodia's environmental sustainability and the eradication of extreme poverty," said Jo Scheuer, UNDP Country Director, at the opening of the conference.
There are global environmental challenges that require strong partnerships at the country level. These are the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, land degradation and desertification, climate change, persistent organic pollutants, water issues and the depletion of the ozone layer.
"Evidence clearly shows that drought, land degradation, degraded water supplies and biodiversity loss, increasingly related to climate change, are undermining and reversing development efforts and adversely affect the lives of the poor, often the most vulnerable, and especially women," said Jo Scheuer.
Cambodia's rural poor depend heavily on natural resources for income, employment, food, fuel and medicines. This makes them vulnerable to climate change. The effective management of ecosystems can secure livelihoods and increase options for sustainable economic growth and human development.
It is expected that during this two-day dialogue, representatives from various ministries, development partners and NGOs will discuss national priorities for the use of GEF funding in Cambodia and come up with a national GEF strategy.
For more information please contact: Men Kimseng at 012 555 605 or e-mail at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or Margaret Lamb at 012 707 457 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Related topics: Environment and Energy
Last updated: 20 August 2010
Pressroom
Contact our Public Information Team
Mr. Munthit Ker
Email: munthit.ker@undp.org
Our Focus in Cambodia
In Depth
