The Pakistani Ambassador to Cambodia Zaheeruddin Babar Thaheem, praised the leadership of the Royal Government of Cambodia over the past year for its numerous achievements, especially in the field of environment, where people are actively involved in reducing plastic pollution, which is a global problem.
The Ambassador made this remark during a courtesy call with Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment, on Tuesday.
Ambassador Thaheem said climate change caused floods in 2022 in Pakistan and led to the damage of property and the loss of life. In response, Pakistan intends to engage internationally, especially with Cambodia, to promote closer cooperation between the two countries in response to climate change.
During the meeting, the minister shared the environmental strategy implemented in the past, especially to clean up Cambodia that came from the campaign to reduce the use of plastic under the theme “Today I do not use plastic bags,” with over 8.5 million students, teachers, monks, workers, development partners, and relevant institutions participating to make schools, pagodas, villages, communities, and cities clean, bringing a sense of pride to Cambodia.
Sophalleth added that through the campaign to reduce the use of plastic, the ministry launched the “Clean Cambodia, Khmer can do!” campaign to clean up plastic waste at the local level, which by 2025, Cambodia will achieve the goal of no plastic bags litter. After cleansing, the plan is to add greenery by planting more trees.
Last year, the Ministry of Environment distributed more than 1.3 million trees to people in response to the national strategy to expand forest cover by more than 60% by 2050. In addition, greenery will contribute to attracting tourists, opening up opportunities for green investment in Cambodia, and receiving green financing for local and social development.
