ADB backs Cambodia greening

PHNOM PENH Asian Development Bank is supporting Cambodia to develop a National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan (NESAP) to help the country achieve its sustainable development goals.
The NESAP will prioritise policy tools and financing options to ensure that environmental protection and sustainable natural resource management are pillars of economic development.
The plan was introduced to senior officials from 17 ministries, as well as development partners, at an ADB-supported workshop held in Phnom Penh on Monday.
“The NESAP is a strategy for all government ministries as well as the private sector, civil society, and development partners to integrate environmental concerns into economic policies and investments,” said Environment Minister Say Samal.
inside no 4Ministry of Environment is coordinating the NESAP development process with technical and funding support from the ADB-led Greater Mekong Subregion Core Environment Programme. The process will be overseen by a task force consisting of representatives from 10 key ministries.
The NESAP is expected to be finalised and then approved by the government in late 2016 and will complement a new Environmental Code — also in development—that will establish a legal framework and principles to ensure all laws relating to environment are effectively applied.
Tourism Minister Thong Khon earlier said it would focus on so-called green tourism to support the country’s objective to establish sustainability.
“The kingdom is looking at ‘green tourism’ as the next level of improvement in Cambodia to achieve sustainability and national accountability.”
Deputy Prime Minister Sok An added that green tourism does not just mean that the country is covered with green trees and plants.
“It also looks at tourism businesses and assists them to operate with a lower threat on the environment.”
But green tourism is an easy topic to talk about and a very difficult one to implement if all its considerations are embraced.
Last year, Cambodia attracted 4.5 million international tourist arrivals increasing 7.0% from 4.2 million in 2013.

sourced:ttrweekly.com