An open Letter from a Civil Society

To H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment

Your Excellency,

On behalf of international civil society organizations committed to the protection of the environment and the advancement of sustainable development, we extend our sincere appreciation for your leadership and continued commitment to environmental protection in Cambodia.

We uphold the principle that effective environmental protection depends on a robust legal framework, fair and consistent enforcement of the law, and the effective deployment of legal and regulatory institutions to ensure compliance—measures that safeguard forests, wildlife, rivers, biodiversity, and the well-being of present and future generations, both in Cambodia and as part of our shared global ecosystem.

We also recognize that lasting protection requires coordinated action. No single institution or country can address environmental crime alone. Such challenges require cooperation among governments, civil society, local communities, the private sector, academia, development partners, the media, and citizens across borders.

This spirit of cooperation reflects not weakness, but institutional maturity and strategic foresight. It strengthens collective capacity, clarifies shared responsibility, and helps ensure that environmental protection is sustained as a national and global priority.

We commend the Ministry of Environment for strengthening partnerships and advancing an inclusive approach. The combination of strong legal enforcement with broad-based cooperation is an effective strategy for addressing environmental crime and advancing environmental governance.

We are encouraged by the Ministry’s openness to participation from all sectors of society, including international partners. Environmental protection is a shared responsibility that transcends national boundaries, and inclusiveness strengthens trust, resilience, and long-term sustainability.

As international civil society, we reaffirm our commitment to work alongside the Ministry, communities, and all stakeholders in advancing this mission. Together, we can further strengthen environmental protection as a collective endeavor with both national and global significance.

We thank Your Excellency for your leadership, openness, and commitment to unity as a foundation for lasting progress.

May Cambodia continue to prosper under the rule of law and national and international cooperation in protecting the environment for present and future generations.

With our highest respect,

On behalf of a Civil Society for Environmental Protection