National conference on the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve brings together stakeholders to discuss sustainable development solutions for the heart of Cambodia

UNESCO's Representative to Cambodia, Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, stated that, "the conference serves as a platform to share and discuss integrated scientific and policy solutions required to effectively manage the Tonle Sap Lake, and a catalyst to foster greater collaboration." He further stressed the importance of joint approaches, "It is all about partnerships for safeguarding the lake".

Mr. Bryan Fornari, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia, noted the increasing challenges around and pressures on the Tonle Sap Lake and the need for solutions, "Evidence-based policy making, and coordination are the key ingredients for the success of efforts in the region."

H.E. Mom Thany, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment, underscored the importance of collaboration - particularly with local government and communities, "I call on all of us to think about how we can contribute to the national coordination mechanism, and more importantly, the engagement of local authorities and communities, which we must enable."

The National Conference builds on the on-going work of the TSBR project, specifically to improve the coordination of actors in the TSBR. In 2022, a TSBR Coordination Mechanism was established by the Ministry of Environment, in partnership with UNESCO, and with the support of the European Union. It provides a robust coordination architecture and platform to periodically convene stakeholders - including 10 ministries, six provincial administrations, researchers, NGOs, civil society, local communities, development partners, and other relevant stakeholders - to strengthen the management of the TSBR.

The Tonle Sap ecosystem is a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot, providing habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna, and serves as the largest breeding ground for nearly 150 species of large water birds in ASEAN. It is one of the world's most productive fisheries and plays a central role in the livelihoods and food security of over 4.6 million people who directly or indirectly depend on the Tonle Sap Lake.

Due to its cultural, social, environmental, and economic significance to Cambodia, the Tonle Sap Lake and its surrounding area was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1997, and assigned as the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve through Royal Decree in 2001.

The collaboration between actors working in the TSBR is important to promote the effective management of the TSBR ecosystem through harmonized policies and unified governance. During the National Conference, stakeholders such as government officials, research institutions, and development partners discussed the challenges, potential inclusive solutions, and good practice around biodiversity conservation, governance, hydrology, and livelihoods.

The National Conference was organized as part of the TSBR project, funded by the European Union. The TSBR Project aims to improve the functions of the TSBR through: i) improved coordination of actors in the TBSR; ii) strengthened conservation at the Boeung Tonle Chhmar and Stung Sen core areas; iii) strengthened coordination for livelihoods; iv) education and research.