September 4, 2025
PHNOM PENH – Climate change, biodiversity loss and plastic pollution continue to threaten the livelihoods of ASEAN people and the integrity of its natural ecosystems, warned Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth, as he addressed the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment on September 3, in Langkawi, Malaysia.
He stated that the gathering comes at a crucial time when the region must demonstrate unified leadership to tackle urgent environmental challenges.
He noted that while ASEAN has made commendable progress in areas from biodiversity conservation to combating marine debris, these challenges remain key concerns.
“We must be proactive and ambitious in our actions, ensuring that ASEAN continues to lead by example. We welcome the recent adoption of the Community Vision 2045, which charts a bold and forward-looking direction for our region,” he said.
“Cambodia is deeply committed to this shared vision. ‘Resilient, sustainable, and inclusive development’ is a core pillar of our national strategies including the Pentagonal Strategy,” he continued.
“To bring this to life, Cambodia has adopted comprehensive policies, including the Circular Strategy on Environment and the Cambodia Climate Change Strategic, the Long-Term Strategy for Carbon Neutrality and Nationally Determined Contribution (NCD3.0) guide our journey toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Currently, Cambodia is in process of ratifying the BBNJ,” he added.
He shared how Cambodia has launched bold, practical actions that contribute directly to ASEAN’s regional aspirations. By promoting the 4R principle of Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, two-thirds of its population have pledged to cut plastic use, dramatically reducing imports and supporting ASEAN’s Regional Action Plan on Combating Marine Debris.
“Our air quality has remained excellent due to strong policy enforcement, and the significant decline in hotspots demonstrates the effectiveness of our collective efforts to reduce land and forest fires” added Sophalleth.
The minister explained that Cambodia has also planted over two million saplings annually through its National Tree Planting Campaign and has developed green destinations that transform local communities into business owners, showcasing how conservation can support livelihoods as part of nature-based solution. Furthermore, it is strictly enforcing environmental laws by requiring the private sector to install wastewater treatment facilities and is closely monitoring its public water sources.
At the regional and global level, Cambodia actively promotes cooperation in key areas and strongly supports programmes through institutions like the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity. The minister described the ministerial meeting is a crucial platform, ahead of the upcoming COP30 in Brazil.
For ASEAN’s Joint Statement to COP30, Cambodia believes that equitable access to climate finance and affordable green technology must be the central components. Without predictable resources, no member state can fully implement its commitments. Thus, ASEAN must speak with one strong voice to ensure their concerns are heard and respected in global negotiations.
Sophalleth called for transform the common challenges into opportunities for stronger solidarity and global leadership.
“Together, we will build resilience, safeguard biodiversity and accelerate our transition to sustainable and inclusive development for the benefit of our peoples, wildlife and ecosystems, today and for generations to come,” he said.