Welcome Remarks by Mr. Lay Khim, Assistant Country Director, UNDP Cambodia in the Awareness Raising Campaign of the National and World Environment Day under the theme “Forests: Nature at Your Service” - 3, 5 June 2011

- Venerable the Buddhist Monks,
- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished national and international guests,
- All the participants.

On behalf of the UNDP Country Office in Cambodia, I have the honor and privilege to participate today in the climate change awareness raising campaign to celebrate the National and the World Environment Day 2011 with the theme “Forests: Nature at Your Service.”

As you all know, natural resources including forests, mountains, valleys, rivers, streams, lakes and wildlife, significantly contribute to socio-economic development and support local livelihoods. In connection with the theme for World Environment Day, I would like to highlight the importance of forests, which are natural assets serving our needs.

Forests provide important resources including timber, fuel wood, natural ecosystems, traditional medicines, and wildlife habitats. Forests also help maintain the quality and sources of natural water for fish habitat and for agricultural irrigation. Forests are like sponges absorbing water and regulating flood, erosion and maintaining soil fertility. About one third of the world population accesses water originated from forested areas. Forests also play an important role in stabilizing local as well as the global climate as they help maintain temperature, attract rainfall, and also seize and store carbon dioxide. Forests provide resources and non-timber products such as timber, resin, rattan, honey, and wild vegetables for household consumption and for sales.

Forests supply environmental systems for wildlife and plant habitats, and social services such as research opportunities, cultural values, and natural landscapes for tourism. As forests contribute significantly to natural environment and consumer goods, they could support the lives of 1.6 million people and ensure safety and livelihoods of 60 million indigenous people worldwide. In Cambodia, in particular, forests support the livelihoods of between 30 to 42% of the country’s population.

With the numerous benefits that are associated with forests, the Royal Government of Cambodia has defined targets in the Cambodian Millennium Development Goals to maintain 60% of forest coverage in the country by 2015. To achieve these targets, the Royal Government of Cambodia   has developed a National Forestry Programme and has been implementing the Protected Areas Law to protect and conserve forests and natural resources. At the same time, there are also many challenges in maintaining the remaining forests such as illegal logging, land clearance for agriculture, forest fires, and the conversion of forest land into social and economic development land.

The question is:  What does Cambodia have to do to achieve the 60% of forest cover?
Actions would include:
1. Promoting forest management through local community participations to support local livelihoods and forest protection;
2. Protecting and conserving biodiversity in the protected forests and  protected  areas;
3. Promoting  tree planting for both fruit trees and fast-growing trees  for fuel wood;
4. Reducing dependence on fuel wood and charcoal from natural forests and replace them with biogas and improved cooking stoves or other alternative renewable energy sources; and
5. Carrying out land use plans in accordance with the functions of forest and potential agricultural lands.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
As a person and an agency what can we do to protect and conserve forests?
1. Participate in raising awareness of forest issues and its significances to local livelihoods, its importance in providing natural services, and its functions in adapting and mitigating to climate change;
2. Government agencies including line ministries,  departments and provincial, district and commune authorities, should continue implementing national policies, the Natural Forest Programme and any legal instruments related to protection and conservation of forest resources;
3. Private companies would have the opportunity to invest into the green economy such as investment in eco-tourism, renewable energy and waste management, and implementations of agro-forestry on degraded lands;
4. Civil society can play an important role in promoting public awareness on forest and its significance,   mobilizing local people’s support to restore and protect  forests, and coping with climate change; and
5. Development partners should continue to support government policies related to forest, environment and climate change, provide financial and technical support to achieve the Cambodian Millennium Development Goals as well as to adapt  and mitigate to climate change.

UNDP, through the Environment and Energy Unit, will continue to support the government, civil society and local people in the following areas:
(1) Support the forest management and protected areas through local community participations;
(2) Assist in the development of national policies, provide funding for mitigation and adaptation to climate change;
(3) Promote climate change adaptation in agriculture and water resources;
(4) Strengthen local community capacity in adaptation to climate change;
(5) Conserve biodiversity in protected forests and areas;
(6) Promote public awareness of climate change, forestry, and environment; and
(7) Strengthen national readiness capacity to access carbon credit through Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD).

Before closing my remarks, allow me to quote a message from Mr. Ban Ki Moon, United Nations Secretary General, stated for the World Environment Day 2011:
 “We will not build a just and equitable world unless we give equal weight to all three pillars of sustainable development – social, economic and environmental.  To sustainably reduce poverty, guarantee food and nutrition security and provide decent employment for growing populations, we must make the most intelligent use of our natural capital.”

I hope  the National and World Environment Day with the theme “Forests: Nature at Your Service” provides Cambodian society broad knowledge about forests’ innumerous benefits and more motivations to conserve the remaining forests for sustainable development, poverty reduction, and coping with climate change in the Cambodian society.

Finally, I would like to wish you all the four gems of Buddhist blessings.

Thank you!