Strengthening Environmental Conservation and Natural Resource Management
UNESCO works to advance and promote science in the interests of peace, sustainable development and human security and well-being. It is the only United Nations specialized agency, symbolized by the 鈥楽鈥 in the acronym, with a specific mandate for science. As a catalyst for mobilizing international scientific cooperation, UNESCO develops scientific knowledge and solutions for today鈥檚 acute economic, social and environmental challenges, to achieve peace, sustainable development and greener societies.
In Cambodia, UNESCO promotes the advancement of science and its applications to strengthen environmental conservation, natural resources management, and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) through policy harmonization, and scientific and technological capacity building.
One of the important international science programmes that governs UNESCO鈥檚 work in environmental conservation in Cambodia is the . The MAB programme is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments. It combines the natural and social sciences with a view to improving human livelihoods and safeguarding natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.
Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve
Recognizing its unique ecological, economic and cultural values, the Tonle Sap was inscribed as the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Cambodia in 1997, and enforced by Royal Decree in 2001, as part of UNESCO鈥檚 Man and the Biosphere Programme. The vast wetland area resulting from this cycle is home to an extraordinarily high biodiversity. However, the Tonle Sap Lake is under increasing pressure from infrastructure development, over-exploitation of its natural resources, and climate change. Currently, UNESCO is working to promote environment conservation, sustainable livelihoods and education for sustainable development in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve (TSBR).
Read more about the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve Project.
Alongside this initiative, UNESCO is supporting the RGC, particularly the Ministry of Environment to identify other natural and mixed heritage sites for potential inclusion on the , and possible Biosphere Reserves and , to protect and promote the country鈥檚 rich natural heritage and resources.
Read more about UNESCO鈥檚 on-going support to update Cambodia鈥檚 Tentative List for potential World Heritage Nomination.
Promoting Livelihoods Opportunities through Sustainable Beekeeping and Native Bee Conservation
As part of the global UNESCO-Guerlain Women for Bees programme, UNESCO undertook an assessment and developed the 鈥溾 report. Drawing on its findings, UNESCO launched a series of trainings to promote sustainable beekeeping and native bee conservation. The trainings aimed to foster biodiversity conservation, ecotourism development, and the development of local communities鈥 livelihoods, with a specific focus on women鈥檚 empowerment. In addition to the trainings, UNESCO is working to develop a roadmap for a National Plan for Sustainable Beekeeping, and create a community of female beekeepers to promote knowledge transfer.
Read more about Angelina Jolie launches Women for Bees' 2022 training programme in Cambodia.
Assessing Cambodia鈥檚 Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem
Today鈥檚 complex economic, societal, environmental and cultural challenges require science, technology and innovation (STI) to be woven into the fabric of society. They require a society where knowledge is co-created through science-policy-society interfaces, processes that connect and allow for fertile exchange between the three. A strong science-policy interface at the national level is crucial for governments and parliaments to effectively respond to national challenges.
The lack of accurate information, adequate indicators and capacities to analyse and monitor policies and instruments is a major development challenge for countries. The aims to fill this information gap by providing key information on STI governing bodies, legal frameworks, policy instruments and long-term series of indicators for evidence-based policy analysis, design and foresight studies. In Cambodia, through its partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, UNESCO conducted a GO-SPIN assessment. The assessment provided a comprehensive study of Cambodia鈥檚 science, technology, and innovation ecosystem, including legal frameworks, governing bodies, and policy instruments. The assessment has been finalized, and the GO-SPIN country profile for Cambodia is expected to be launched in 2023.
Enhancing water sustainability through scientific research, education, and capacity development
Water Education Series - Under the global partnership between UNESCO and the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), within the framework of Education for Sustainable Development, UNESCO worked with the MoEYS to translate the Water Education Series into Khmer. The Series will be further disseminated among schoolchildren to raise awareness on water literacy. The series is expected to be launched in 2023.
Transboundary groundwater governance in the Lower Mekong Basin - UNESCO is working with partners on enhancing transboundary groundwater governance, monitoring, and management. These initiatives aim to strengthen cooperation among actors regarding the Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer, improve the sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services, and strengthen resilience of groundwater resources to climate change.
