Cambodia - Country Profile

Remark:

Please note that this country profile has been prepared by the Secretariat on the basis of information provided in the NBSAP and national reports, but has not been reviewed by the Party concerned.

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Biogeographically, Cambodia is a tropical country dominated by lowlands along the Mekong River and Tonlé Sap Lake, where agriculture is concentrated, and three mountain regions in the Southwest, North and Northeast. Knowledge at the species levels for plants and animals of Cambodia remains very limited. According to IUCN Redlist, 39 mammals, 36 birds, 15 reptiles, 38 plant species are listed as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near-threatened or data deficient (SoE, 2004)... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

Cambodia has 29 protected areas, 3 sites of wetland of international importance and 1 Biosphere Reserve. Overall, these sites cover more than 18% of the country territory and span almost all types of habitat.

Percentage of Forest Cover

The total forest cover is 9,335,000 ha, with 9,245,000 ha for natural forests and 90,000 for plantation areas.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The vision identified in Cambodia’s NBSAP is “equitable economic prosperity and improved quality of life through sustainable use, protection and management of biological resources”. The Strategy provides a framework for action at all levels to enhance Cambodia’s ability to ensure the productivity, diversity and integrity of natural systems and, as a result, the ability as a nation to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of all Cambodians... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

In addition to the designated protected areas, more than 1.49 million ha of Protected Forests Areas have been established. The Government’s Rectangular Strategy (2004) identifies measures for forestry reform including sustainable forest management policy. The New Forest Law (2002) was adopted and the new draft Laws on Fisheries and Protected Areas are waiting for debate at the National Assembly... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

The designated system of national protected areas (PA) recognises it is part of the broader landscape. As such, management plans take into account activities in the surrounding areas, including use of resources by local people living within and around the PAs. Some PAs are managed through an integrated approach combining different principles including the fishery management, the UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Reserve concept, community based resource management and co-management, and participatory land use planning... More »

Initiatives in Access and Benefit Sharing

The Government is working with ASEAN countries toward developing an ASEAN Framework Agreement on Access to, and Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from the Utilization of, Biological and Genetic Resources. In the near future, Cambodia is planning to develop a sub-decree addressing equitable sharing of its genetic resources... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

A wide variety of initiatives have been undertaken in Cambodia to address issues related to indigenous and local communities, including the establishment of a department within the Ministry of Rural Development to promote rural development and provide non-formal education among indigenous communities. Others include the collaboration with NGOs and research institutions on a wide range of studies and information-sharing with various stakeholders, including the communities, particularly on access rights of indigenous and local communities to land and natural resources, threats from development and administrative management on existing local institutions, and tenure rights and ownership... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Mr. Chay Samith	CBD Primary NFP, SBSTTA NFP
Ms. Somaly Chan	CHM NFP, ICNP ABS NFP, Protected Areas NFP, GSPC NFP
Mr. Chan Thoeun Heng	Resource Mobilization FP
Mr. Monyrak Meng	GTI NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Mr. Pisey Oum	Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP
Mr. Mun Duong Ratanak	BCH NFP