Preah Vihear Province: On May 4, 2026, in a spirit of solidarity for the cause of the environment, senior leaders of the four provinces that encompass the “Prey Lang” Wildlife Sanctuary met in large numbers in a dialogue with representatives of 21 protected area communities from Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom, Stung Treng, and Kratie provinces.
The ceremony was held in a grand manner at the Preah Vihear Provincial Hall under the high chairmanship of: Mr. Kim Rithy, Governor of Preah Vihear Provincial Government, Mr. Nuon Pharath, Governor of Kampong Thom Provincial Government, Mr. Sar Soputra, Governor of Stung Treng Provincial Government, and Mr. Hang Chandy, Deputy Governor of Kratie Provincial Government.
Strengthening protection mechanisms through community strength, the ceremony emphasized that “Prey Lang” is not only a central habitat for biodiversity in Southeast Asia, but also an important “lung” for Cambodia. The leaders of the four provinces showed strong political will to support the 21 communities to become the frontline forces in preventing natural resource crimes and forest cover loss.
In addition to the administrative agenda, the meeting included meaningful educational content for the world. Forests are a life-supporting system Prey Lang is not just a tree, but a source of clean water, a keeper of the climate balance, and a shield against natural disasters. Deforestation is a severed artery of the economy and the well-being of humanity.
In this meeting, the leaders said: Development without environmental sustainability is development that leads to destruction. Preserving forests is the wisest investment for future generations.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of each person, the environment is not the responsibility of professionals alone. It requires a green consciousness from all walks of life to transform from exploitation of nature to exploitation through ecotourism and sustainable livelihoods.
To move towards joint implementation as a result of the meeting, the four provincial administrations agreed to strengthen cross-provincial cooperation to increase the effectiveness of patrols and information sharing. The four provincial governors also praised the dedication of the community members who have tirelessly guarded and protected the forest.
Please also note that this event is a positive signal to the international community that Cambodia is standing strong in protecting its natural resources. The unity of the four provinces is a new model of environmental governance that uses community energy as the most effective weapon in the fight against global climate change.
By: Suon Pisit|Deum Ampil
