PHNOM PENH, 22March 2012
(PRU) - Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sok An said on Thursday that
Cambodia would use its natural resources in the Mekong River for economic and
social development, adding that sustainable development is needed for the
benefit of generations to come.
His Excellency Dr. Sok
An shared his view when receiving a delegation of the Mekong Institute (MI)—on
the sideline of a three-day regional seminar—that “the Royal Government of
Cambodia is in favour of energy production, but we have to pay attention to
environmental issue as well”.
Cambodia currently
imports electricity from neighbouring countries—Laos, Vietnam and Thailand—to
support its growing development.
“We have natural
resources. We should use them but in a sustainable manner”, the DPM stated.
Dr. Sok An said that any
country’s development in the Greater Mekong Sub-region should not impact other
projects of the Mekong, where other donors including Japan, South Korea and the
U.S. are also engaged.
“Any projects of the GMS
should be harmonised with others.”
Dr. Sok An stressed that
balanced socio-economic development and environmental protection should be
taken into account.
The MI organised a regional
seminar on Water Energy Development and Environmental Protection in the GMS
from 21 to 23 March in Phnom Penh with nearly 60 participants from the
countries involved. Cambodia co-hosted the seminar with China.
H.E. Dr. Sok An praised
the MI, established in 1996, and said it should play a greater role in ensuring
that the six countries of the GMS would adopt strategic sustainable development
plans. The GMS comprises Cambodia, Lao P.D.R., Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and
Yunnan Province and the Guangxi Autonomous Region of China.
“The MI should be more
active”, he said.
Mr. Zhang Yue, the
Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the U.N. Economic
and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), led the delegation to
meet the Deputy Prime Minister.
Zhang Yue said that this
is the first time that Beijing has supported MI in hosting the seminar. China
sees the seminar as reflecting regional perspectives on sustainable development
and the environment.
“China is playing an
important role in regional cooperation within the framework of the GMS”, said
Zhang Yue.