Collaborative Initiative Fosters Sustainable Resource Management Through Tree Plantation and Restoration Efforts
Kampong Thom Province (12 June 2024)- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the Forestry Administration, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries conducted tree planting activity to build joint efforts for sustainable forest resource through planation and restoration under "Every Tree Counts Initiative 2024."
The initiative was organized under the Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor) project, a collaborative effort spearheaded by multiple organizations including MAFF, MOE, FAO, UNDP, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and the Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC). Supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, CASFor prioritizes bolstering community forestry by implementing management practices, particularly promoting restoration activities.
The "Every Tree Counts" initiative distributed 6,000 saplings and organized tree-planting sessions alongside youth presentations focused on environmental restoration. Its core aim was to nurture partnerships in tree plantation and forest restoration efforts. By doing so, the initiative aimed to support the Royal Government of Cambodia's objectives, including its Nationally Determined Contributions, Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality, and the targets outlined in the National Forestry Programme, with a broader goal of enhancing forest cover across the country.Top of Form
“Global greenhouse gas emissions are rising, driven by unsustainable energy use, land use, and lifestyles, with deforestation and forest degradation responsible for 15% of emissions and significant biodiversity loss. Cambodia, heavily relies on natural resources and agriculture, and faces severe climate impacts like rising temperatures and extreme weather, exacerbating vulnerabilities… we [SDC] aim at increasing communities' resilience to climate change and disasters, supporting them in obtaining secure and equitable access to natural resources (land, forest and water) and building their capacities to manage these resources sustainably,” said Mr. Markus Buerli, Director of Cooperation, Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency in Cambodia.
“Today's activity symbolizes our collective commitment to building partnerships for forest and land restoration, promoting sustainable management of local forest resources, enhancing resilience, improving livelihoods, ecosystem services for local communities, and aligning with national and global goals on climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation,” stated Rebekah Bell, FAO representative in Cambodia.
In his address, Mr. Chheng Dany, the Director General of FA, urged partners to allocate to support tree planting initiatives to highlight their contributions to the restoration and preservation of natural and forest resources. Mr. Chheng emphasized, "On behalf of the Kampong Thom Provincial Administration, as a local authority, we consistently endorse efforts aimed at safeguarding and conserving natural resources, particularly through activities such as reforestation, tree planting, and increasing forest cover, with active involvement from communities and partners. These efforts aim to foster sustainable local development, ensuring that our people reap the benefits of our forests."
H.E. Un Bot, Deputy Provincial Governor of Kampong Thom Province, Mr Chheang Dany, Deputy Director General of the Forestry Administration, and Markus Buerli, Director of Cooperation, Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency in Cambodia, graced the event with their presence. The audience also included representatives from local authorities, communities, academia, media, and various international organizations.
Cambodia's proactive approach to combating climate change and conserving its natural heritage stands as a model of responsible environmental stewardship. As the nation advances towards sustainability, the "Every Tree Counts Initiative 2024" emphasizes our collective duty to nurture and protect the planet for future generations, amidst Cambodia's evolving environmental landscape.