UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

06/03/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/03/2021 02:03

UNESCO and Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia conduct Seminar on Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve to promote cooperation for conservation and sustainable development

On 26th May 2021, UNESCO and Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia (PUC) organized an online seminar for the undergraduate students of PUC, including students of the Bachelor Programme in Environmental Science, to provide an opportunity to learn about UNESCO's Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve initiatives.

The Seminar provided a platform for over 170 students to learn about UNESCO's work in natural sciences, and gain insights into the concept of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. In this context, the Seminar focused on the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve (TSBR), where UNESCO is undertaking various conservation and sustainable development initiatives. Various specialized topics were covered during the Seminar, including Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Biosphere Reserves, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Environmental Governance, which facilitated a vibrant discussion with students on how they can play an active role in sustainably shaping Cambodia's natural resources and landscapes, with a special focus on the TSBR ecosystem.

During the seminar, Youth Action for Green Environment (YouthAGE), shared a presentation on the Role of Youth in Tonle Sap Lake Conservation. YouthAGE presented their conservation activities in the Tonle Sap, and highlighted the role that young people can play in promoting conservation and sustainable development efforts in the TSBR.

Biosphere Reserves are designated as part of UNESCO's intergovernmental Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, for sustainably managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems. The Tonle Sap Lake was inscribed on the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 1997, and enforced by Royal Decree in 2001.

UNESCO is collaborating with academic and research institutions in Cambodia, to strengthen research on various environmental, socio-economic and cultural aspects of the TSBR, and advocating for quality research and scientific cooperation on this unique ecosystem. The initiative is undertaken as part of UNESCO's on-going activities to strengthen conservation and sustainable development at the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, with support from the FAO-CAPFISH-Capture Project, funded by the European Union.

For more information, please contact Mr. Sriharsha Masabathula, Associate Project Officer (Science) (Email: [email protected](link sends e-mail)) and Mr. Sam Nissay, National Project Officer (Science) (Email: [email protected](link sends e-mail)) at UNESCO Phnom Penh Office.