Phnom Penh – 25th June 2014, a dissemination workshop on the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan (CCCSP) 2014-2023 was organized by the Climate Change Department (CCD) of the Ministry of Environment in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance (CCCA) in Sunway Hotel, Phnom Penh.
Around 130 representatives, consisting of policy-makers, 27 line ministries/institutions, Kandal provincial departments, academia, NGOs, and media were invited to learn about the 10-year Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan and the next steps for implementation.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Pon Saroeurn, Under Secretary of State of Ministry of Environment, pointed out that climate change is a real challenge for Cambodia causing physical and financial damages, loss of people’s livelihood and having national development impacts. Thus we need to cope with climate change through policies, strategies, new plans, changes of working behaviors and operations. “Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan 2014-2023 is the first-ever comprehensive national strategic plan to guide responses to climate change in Cambodia through adaptation, mitigation and low-carbon development, reflecting the high commitment of the Royal Government to address climate change towards the national development and contribution to the globe in greenhouse gas emission reduction.”, he added.
Ms. Setsuko Yamazaki, UNDP Country Director, underlined that the strategic plan being disseminated today is a significant step taken by the Royal Government of Cambodia in shaping its path towards becoming a resilient and low-carbon development nation. She also cited that climate change-related indicators have been included in the monitoring and evaluation framework of the National Strategic Development Plan 2014-2018, that prioritized climate change into national policy and planning. She finally emphasized “local actions to promote community resilience remains a high priority in a country, while the need to ensure local plans, capacities and investments in consideration of potential climate risks that will affect communities should be considered”.
The event was roled out through proactive presentations that focused on 1) Cambodia’s responses to climate change at national and international level, 2) CCCSP formulation process, 3) objectives and 8 strategic objectives covered national relevance; 4) CCCSP linkage to other development planning process and 5) how CCCSP implementation for the next steps.
This is the 4th regional CCCSP dissemination workshop that came after coastal zone, Tonle Sap southern & southeast provinces. Up to date, over 350 key officials, academia, NGOs perceived the understanding of the 10-year strategic plan covering 17 provinces: Kampot, Kep, Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Takeo, Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Kandal and Phnom Penh.
