H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment
H. E. Tin Ponlok, Secretary of State, Ministry of Environment (and a former Chair of INRM Project Steering Committee)
H.E. Sum Thy, Director General, General Directorate of Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Environment, Deputy Chairperson and Project Director of INRM 
Representatives of line ministries, academia, NGOs and partner communities
Distinguished guests,

Today’s symposium on “Green Pathways: Linking Landscape Management with Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for Sustainable Futures” is an opportunity to share and promote action learnings and exchange best practices on integrated natural resources management as a conscious process of incorporating the multiple aspects of natural resource use (be they bio-physical, socio-political or economic) into a system of sustainable management to meet the needs of local communities and the society at large in terms of biodiversity conservation, food security, risk reduction and long-term resilience. I believe this symposium will constitute a valuable input for implementing the Circular Strategy on Environment for a Clean, Green, and Sustainable Cambodia, but also the ambition of the Pentagonal Strategy for the Kingdom’s sustainable development.

This event draws heavily on the joint project of the Ministry of Environment and UNDP on Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM) that will be completed by the end of this coming month. After nearly five years of implementation, the project brings many learnings from the Northern Landscape of Cambodia, in the field of inclusive biodiversity conservation and management, directly contributing to the ‘Clean, Green and Sustainable’ Cambodia as outlined in the 2023-28 Circular Strategy on Environment. These include learnings on Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), riparian system improvement, fire management, forest restoration, and the sustainable use of non-timber forest products for generating income and improving local livelihoods. It also generated lessons on gender mainstreaming, social inclusion, and community engagement in natural resource management. Many of these will be shared with you today for cross-learning and feedback.

Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,

Allow me to share some of the foundations the project has developed for integrated natural resources management, which will continue to bring value even after the project concludes:

• Zoning and mapping more than 500 thousand hectares of national park areas in the northern landscape using GIS technology for restoration, development, conservation planning, and implementation.
• Identifying sustainable financing options and successfully piloting them in the northern landscapes. More specifically, developing and piloting the Payment for Ecosystem Services Guidelines and initiatives with provincial authorities.
• Developing a Gender Mainstreaming Action Plan to incorporate the needs and knowledge of women and create opportunities for them in natural resources management.
• Piloting the integration of the natural resources management agenda into the commune and district plans, in collaboration with the respective authorities.
• Developing local capacities on INRM at all levels and devising an exit strategy to ensure the sustainability of the project’s impacts long term.
• Creating and disseminating learning materials on multiple thematic areas in various forms accessible to a diverse public in the form of videos, photo stories, reports, guidelines, manuals and brochures, to name a few, accessible to all on the Cambodia Clearinghouse Mechanism, hosted on the website of the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD).

Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,

Natural resources management and climate change are deeply interdependent. Climate change impacts natural resources, while resource management practices influence greenhouse gas emissions and climate adaptation. Effective management is thus crucial for mitigating and adapting to climate change and ensuring the sustainable use of resources. As the RGC embarks on developing its NDC3.0, the outputs of this symposium will also help shape recommendations and measures that would promote nature-based solutions as climate solutions for mitigation and adaptation and create co-benefits for the climate agenda, ecosystem services, and biodiversity conservation.  

Building on the INRM project, UNDP remains committed to strengthening and mainstreaming sustainable management of ecosystems and natural habitats for Cambodian society's well-being, security and prosperity.

To end, allow me to take this opportunity to applaud the Project Management Unit and the Ministry of Environment for their dedication and diligent efforts in accelerating and delivering results and this peer learning and partnership event. I look forward to a constructive dialogue that will advance mutual sharing of experience and learning, and enrich policy decisions, future related initiatives, and partnerships.

Thank you!