Cambodia's 73 Protected Areas Now Cover More Than 39% of Land, Minister Tells COP17

Phnom Penh, October 28, 2026: Cambodia has told the UN biodiversity summit in Armenia that its 73 protected areas now span roughly 7 million hectares—more than 39 percent of the country's land—surpassing a key global conservation target.

Delivering Cambodia's national statement at COP17 on Oct. 27, 2026, H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, said the Kingdom's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, sets 23 national targets built around six result clusters, with priority on restoring degraded ecosystems and strengthening governance of protected areas.

The minister credited Cambodia's progress to the foundation of peace and achievements left by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, former Prime Minister and Senate President, and to the clear policies of Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet's government, which he said are guiding the country toward sustainable development. He described the Environmental Sector Strategy as a compass for Cambodia's future and its active contribution to tackling global environmental crises.


H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth said Cambodia fully backs the KM-GBF, the Yerevan Declaration and related initiatives, and stressed that closing the global financing gap is the single most important factor for delivering real results. He called on development partners, the private sector, civil society, women's and youth groups and all stakeholders to support the NBSAP approved by the head of government, which will be submitted to the UN biodiversity secretariat, and to help secure adequate funding and capacity so future generations can live in harmony with nature.

Source: Ministry of Environment


Reported by The Khmer Daily Network