Phnom Penh: February 12, 2024 - The Minister of Environment, Dr. Eang Sophalleth, is gearing up to spearhead a significant clean-up drive for Tonle Sap Lake, set to commence on March 1, 2024. This initiative aims to safeguard the lake's fish populations, which are crucial for the nutritional needs of the Cambodian populace. The campaign follows the success of the "Today! I do not use plastic bags" movement, which saw participation from over 4 million individuals and students, significantly reducing plastic waste across the country.

This announcement was made during a strategic meeting focused on the Ministry of Environment's key priorities and exploring avenues to bolster cooperation with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Eda Kraja, the Country Manager for Cambodia-Laos at UNOPS, outlined the goals of enhancing collaboration in line with the Environmental Strategy for 2023-2028. Kraja also expressed a keen interest in identifying priority projects that could be integrated with UNOPS's global initiatives, working closely with partners like the Green Climate Fund, the NDC Partnership, and the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Center.

Minister Eang Sophalleth extended gratitude to the development partners for their support in the environmental sector, emphasizing the significant shift in Cambodian citizens' and students' attitudes towards reducing plastic use, waste disposal, and maintaining cleanliness in their surroundings, including homes, schools, pagodas, and local communities.

The collective efforts underscore Cambodia's commitment to fostering a clean environment not just on land but also in its waters and air, ensuring a pristine legacy for future generations and setting a benchmark for environmental conservation across Asia.