Friday, March 23, 2012
Cambodia contributes to sustainable development in the Greater Mekong Sub-region
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.
Press Release: ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum (ACSC/APF 2012)
A group of Cambodia civil society organizations was actively gathering
at the University of Cambodia on 15 March 2012 to organize a preparatory
meeting for the ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC 2012) and ASEAN
Peoples Forum (APF 2012). The meeting aimed to form thematic committees,
select representatives to interface with ASEAN leaders and to develop a
theme for the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum
(ACSC/APF 2012) as well as to define the venue and date of
ACSC/APF2012. The meeting was attended by 2779 representatives from 449
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations
(CSOs), Trade Unions and Youth Associations as well as media
representatives throughout Cambodia.
The meeting agreed the following principles:
1. The theme "WE, THE PEOPLES OF ASEAN JOINING HANDS TOGETHER AN ASEAN
COMMUNITY", the date (28-30 March 2012) and venue (Chaktokum Conference
Hall) were agreed and adopted.
2. Four thematic committees were formed namely Organizing Committee,
Steering Committee, Program Committee and Documentation Committee.
3. Two representatives were transparently and democratically elected
namely Ms. Hoy Sochivanny, Director of Positive Change for Cambodia, as a
representive of Cambodian Civil Society Organizations and Mr. Sok
Theavuth, as a youth representative to interface with ASEAN leaders
during the 20th ASEAN Summit.
Four representatives from four civil society organizations were elected
to work on the four above-mentioned thematic committees:
1. Organizing Committee: Cambodian Democratic Students, Intellectuals Federation (Email: iengaunny@gmail.com and Tel: 097-370-8283)
2. Steering Committee: Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace (Email:cicp01@online.com.kh and Tel: 012-819-953)
3. Program Committee: Positive Change for Cambodia, (Email: sochivannyh@hotmail.com and Tel: 092-993-775)
4. Documentation Committee: Cambodia-ASEAN Center for Human Rights Development (Email: vicheanon@gmail.com and Tel: 017-888-738)
The key objectives of the ACSC/APF 2012 are to:
1. Promote public awareness about ASEAN to the peoples of ASEAN, especially Cambodian people;
2. Encourage the peoples of ASEAN to interact with their leaders in a democratic and constructive manner;
3. Present the requests and concerns of the peoples of ASEAN to their leaders in a constructive manner;
4. Enhance mutual understanding and build solidarity, unity, and
cooperation among the peoples of South East Asia in the process of a
people-centred ASEAN;
5. Share lessons learnt from past successes and failures of advocacy in engaging with their leaders;
6. Promote discussions on issues related to people-centered community and gender and development in ASEAN
7. Release a joint statement on the issues of common concerns to ASEAN leaders, and
8. Shape public opinions on emerging regional issues.
Participation Admission Fee is FREE. The conference and forum
are open to all ASEAN citizens, representatives of ASEAN civil society
organizations and their partners as well as friends.
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