Phnom Penh, 19 June 2024 – With funding support from the European Union and UK Aid, VSO Cambodia and Save the Children in Cambodia today host the World Environment Day event, which highlights the impacts of their ongoing projects focused on promoting sustainable practices aligned with the green economy, addressing the challenges of land degradation, desertification, and drought in Cambodia and beyond.

The event brings together 85 participants, including members of fishing communities, local green businesses, young entrepreneurs, community volunteers, and agricultural farmers from the East Tonle Sap Lake, along with representatives from government ministries, development partners, INGOs, and the private sector.

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th to raise awareness and encourage action to protect the environment, with a focus on reversing the alarming decline of biodiversity globally. This year, the theme "Our Land. Our Future. We are Generational Restoration" highlights the importance of worldwide participation in conservation efforts. These efforts include restoring degraded land, combating desertification, building resilience against drought, and protecting the natural ecosystems that sustain all life. As one of the United Nations’ flagship environmental campaigns, it calls on individuals, communities, and nations to unite in preserving our planet for future generations.

The European Union has been a strong advocate for environmental protection and sustainability, and this is evident in its observance of World Environment Day on 19 June 2024.

H.E Igor DRIESMANS, European Union Ambassador to Cambodia emphasized that, ‘‘The European Union has long been a global leader in the fight against climate change. Our commitment to environmental sustainability is embedded in our belief that it's essential for the well-being of all nations and future generations. We integrate climate change objectives into our development assistance programs, ensuring a holistic approach with lasting, positive impacts on both people and the planet. This is evident in our partnership with Cambodia, where we collaborate to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable growth in the fisheries sector."

VSO Global Thematic Lead, Roland Charles said:

‘We are proud to join the global community in observing this important day and calling for immediate, decisive action to restore our damaged ecosystems and safeguarding the biodiversity that underpins all life of Tonle Sap Lake. Now more than ever, we must come together as a global community to restore the natural systems that sustain us and take key steps to protect and revitalize our environment, by doing this we can build a more sustainable future for all.”

Mr. Reaksmey Hong, Save the Children's Country Director in Cambodia said:

"Our commitment to environmental protection and restoration today ensures that our children will inherit a world rich in natural resources and food security. World Environment Day is a call to action to preserve our environment, specifically addressing the health of Tonle Sap Lake, which is central to the livelihoods of around 3 million people who live in and around the areas." 

In closing, VSO and Save the Children’s observance of World Environment Day 2024 underscored its unwavering commitment to tackling the urgent environmental challenges facing our planet. The future of our planet is at stake, and the time for bold steps is now. We are calling on all stakeholders to join us in this crucial fight to protect our environment and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Note to Editors:

About VSO 

VSO is an international development agency that works through volunteers to support the most vulnerable and marginalized to achieve their rights and bring about lasting change.

Find out more at https://www.vsointernational.org/  

For more information, please contact: Ms. Ty Rojanet, GREEN Project Manager at rojanet.ty@vsoint.org. and mobile phone: 092973993

Save the Children (SC) is the world’s largest independent child rights organization, working in more than 120 countries and working in Cambodia since 1970. With children and local partners, SC leads innovative programs in child education, child poverty, child protection, child rights governance, and health and nutrition, focusing strongly on gender, disability inclusion, and climate change. SC has longstanding relationships with various government ministries and generates research and evidence to influence policies and practices that promote child rights in Cambodia.

For more information, please contact: Mr. Taing Vida, Communications and Campaign Specialist at vida.taing@savethechildren.org and 016541616.