The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Environment Ministers and their representatives convened in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, on Friday to discuss collaborative efforts to safeguard the region’s rich environmental treasures. The meeting marks a significant step forward in enhancing cooperation among GMS countries to achieve a clean, green, sustainable, and resilient future.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the sixth GMS Environment Ministers’ Meeting, Cambodian Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth emphasized the extraordinary natural beauty and biodiversity of the GMS. “The Greater Mekong Subregion is home to ecosystems that support millions of livelihoods,” he said. “Forests, rivers, and wetlands are not only sources of life but also the core of our economies and deeply connected to the cultural and spiritual identities of our people.”
However, Sophalleth noted that the region faces profound environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and unsustainable development. “As we stand on the verge of significant economic development and industrialization, we must address these pressing issues,” he urged.
The minister highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters in the GMS, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced climate resilience. He called for strengthening disaster risk reduction strategies, improving early warning systems, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure. “Improving environmental quality is equally important for the health and well-being of our population,” Sophalleth added. “Pollution control and waste management, especially the reduction of plastic use, are central to creating cleaner air, water, and soil.”
The meeting brought together environment ministers or their representatives from the six GMS countries: Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. It offered a unique platform to strengthen partnerships, share knowledge, and coordinate efforts to address environmental challenges. “Together, we can build a resilient, sustainable future for the Greater Mekong Subregion, ensuring that our natural treasures are preserved for generations to come,” Sophalleth said.
The ministers are expected to endorse two vital documents: the 2030 Strategic Framework for Accelerating Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability in the GMS, and the Phnom Penh Joint Statement on Plastic Pollution Control.
Fatima Yasmin, Vice President for Sectors and Themes of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), emphasized the importance of integrating climate resilience and environmental sustainability into every facet of development plans, policies, and investments. “For this reason, ADB has committed to allocate its own resources amounting to \$100 billion towards climate action in Asia and the Pacific over the period of 12 years from 2019 to 2030,” she said.
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GMS ministers discuss cooperation to safeguard environmental treasures
cgtn.com
