Provincial Level Stakeholder Meeting on Progress of REDD+ Project Development and Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary Management

The meeting was chaired by H.E. Choup Paris, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment and National REDD+ Focal Point, with the participation of H.E. Ken Sereyrotha, Director General of the General Department of Local Community and Chair of the REDD+ Taskforce Secretariat. They were joined by the Deputy Governors of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri Provinces, along with the CEO of NatureLife Cambodia. The meeting took place on 13 September 2025 at the hall of the Mondulkiri Provincial Department of Environment.

A total of 61 stakeholders attended, including representatives from the Ministry of Environment, provincial administrations of both provinces, relevant departments, local authorities, the armed forces, park rangers, community representatives, and NGOs. Participants were updated on the progress of REDD+ project development and the management of Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary, including:

• The Verified Carbon Standard Project Description Document (VCS-PDD) was validated on 22 July 2025 by SCS Global, the validation and verification body. The REDD+ project covers 127,270 hectares for a duration of 40 years and has the potential to reduce emissions by approximately 12,354,279 tCO₂e.

• Forest cover loss in the project area was 0.10%, equivalent to 128.18 hectares, from 2020 to 2024.

• Ongoing support for 28 park rangers and 6 ranger stations to prevent forest loss.

• Support for 7 community scouts working alongside park rangers.

• Support for 6 Community Protected Areas (CPAs/CBOs) to conduct monthly patrols and develop and implement management plans.

• Support for 372 Ibis Rice farming households in 6 villages.

• Recruitment of youth for scholarships in all 16 target villages.

• Support for 4 primary schools.

• Conservation of key species including the Giant Ibis, White-shouldered Ibis, Eld’s Deer, and Banteng.

In addition to these achievements, H.E. Choup Paris emphasized the importance of implementing the Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ project, highlighting that:

• Effective forest protection results in healthy forests and abundant wildlife. Forests purify the air, enrich the soil, filter water, and attract rainfall. Their natural beauty also supports ecotourism and creates jobs for local communities.

• Cambodia has been recognized as one of the leading countries contributing to REDD+.

The challenges were also raised for discussion and joint solutions, including:

• Illegal hunting and illegal land encroachment: Requires cooperation between the wildlife sanctuary and local authorities to enforce the law and raise public awareness. It must be ensured that no land (inside wildlife sanctuary) sale or purchase certificates should be ratified.

• Development projects: Their impacts must be mitigated and excluded from REDD+ project implementation areas.

Representatives from the Ministry of Environment and the Deputy Governors of both provinces acknowledged the project’s benefits, endorsed the solutions identified during the meeting, and reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Lomphat REDD+ project for the benefit of local communities and forest conservation.

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