Synopsis: Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth presents the Kingdom’s new conservation framework at COP17, seeking international funding to protect nearly 40% of the nation’s land and sea.
Cambodia highlighted its commitment to biodiversity conservation at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in Armenia, with Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth presenting strategies to protect ecosystems.
Leaders gathered for the midterm review of the 30 by 30 goal to protect 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030, focusing on funding and halting nature destruction.
Sophalleth led the Cambodian delegation, comprising representatives of the government, civil society, conservation partners, youth networks, indigenous communities and the private sector, to Yerevan for the conference held on October 19-30.
A key focus was Cambodia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2030, which was endorsed by the government on October 20.
The updating process began in June 2025 through 17 workshops involving ministries, local authorities, development partners, civil society, academia, youth, women, Indigenous communities and the private sector.
The strategy aligns with Phase I of the government’s Pentagonal Strategy and the Circular Strategy on Environment, focusing on green and sustainable development. It also matches the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, emphasising Cambodia’s 73 protected areas covering seven million hectares, or 39% of the country’s territory. This exceeds the framework’s target of conserving 30% of land and sea areas by 2030.
It will cost an estimated $1.97 billion to implement the strategy.
The plan comprises three overarching goals: conserving and restoring biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use and equitable benefit-sharing, and strengthening the enabling environment. It identifies six key result areas and 23 targets covering ecosystem restoration, species conservation, threat reduction, climate change response, community management and inclusive governance.
Priorities include restoring up to 30% of degraded ecosystems, improving protected area management, preventing species extinction, controlling invasive species, reducing pollution and strengthening climate resilience. The strategy also promotes sustainable practices in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry, alongside mobilising funding and ensuring gender equality in conservation.
