IUCN extends a warm welcome to Cambodia, which has officially announced its decision to re-join as a State Member of IUCN by endorsing the IUCN Statutes. The Ministry of Environment has been designated by the State as its liaison with the IUCN Secretariat. The announcement was made on 7 February 2020 in Gland, Switzerland by IUCN Council.

Cambodia’s State membership offers new high-level opportunities to collaborate with IUCN’s global network of experts on the development of new projects under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) for protected area management, biodiversity conservation, and green growth.

“IUCN Asia is very pleased with Cambodia re-joining as a State Member. We appreciate the country’s commitment to nature conservation,” says Aban Marker Kabraji, IUCN Regional Director, Asia.

Extremely diverse, Cambodia’s landscape spans the huge flood plains of the Tonle Sap and Mekong Delta, the Cardamom Mountains, large areas of dry deciduous forest, and the mangroves and coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand. The country maintains almost 50% forest cover and is home to the last populations of several Critically Endangered species such as the Giant Ibis and White-shouldered Ibis, the Mekong giant catfish, and the River terrapin. Over one-third of the country is under some form of legal protection.

Currently, Cambodia, through the MOE and the Fisheries Administration, collaborates with IUCN on improving management of coastal and freshwater wetlands and on sustainable financing of community fisheries.

“IUCN has a long term partnership on biodiversity conservation with Cambodia. With this development, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with Cambodia in providing solutions to many pressing environmental concerns in the country,” says Vanny Lou, Programme Officer for IUCN Cambodia.