Workshop on the Research Study “Impact of Climate Change to Tonle Sap Tributary Functions, Biodiversity, and Livelihood of People in the Tonle Sap Lake”

The NGO Forum on Cambodia (NGOF) facilitated to implement a project financing by Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung for Southeast Asia, Hanoi Office, to conduct a research on the “Impacts of Climate Change to Tonle Sap Tributary Function, Biodiversity, and Livelihood of People in the Tonle Sap Lake”. The study was conducted by KFP Trading Co. LTD during July – September 2022. The objectives of the workshop were: • To update participants about the draft of research study report on Impact of Climate Change to Tonle Sap Tributary Function, Biodiversity, and Livelihood of People in the Tonle Sap Lake. • To collect inputs from relevant stakeholders and incorporate into the final report of research study report on Impact of Climate Change to Tonle Sap Tributary Function, Biodiversity, and Livelihood of People in the Tonle Sap Lake.

With in-person attendees of 34 participants (5 females) and 19/ 03 females were attending by online actively participating in the event, Ms. Rumduol, NGOF, was the meeting master ceremony. At the beginning of the day, she invited delegates to chair the event. They are: • Dr. Tek Vannara, Executive Director, NGOF • Dr. Phin Sopheap, Deputy Rector, Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture • Mr. Philip Degenhardt, Regional Director of Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung for Southeast Asia, Hanoi Office, • Mrs. Prum Bopha, ED of RAO and Representative of NECA’s Steering Committee • Representative of Tonle Sap Authority

There were lots of questions and comments made by the participants. All the comments and questions were responded and referred to look for details on the report by the Independent Consultant. In summary, the following comments are needed to further taken into consolidation with the report: • The study team should clarify Desk review on Climate Change • Six provinces around the Lake (with new provincial establishment) • Six provinces under Mekong Flows (with new provincial establishment) • Please add Conceptual Framework into the study • Please provide at least TWO villages/communities for the changes of livelihoods, as model of changes • Add explanation: Tonle Sap Basin, Tonle Sap River, and the Tonle Sap Lake (Zones) and the tributaries of each site • Provide maps of the changes of flood forests in each zones for possible future restorations • Any points that the study cannot work on, please suggest for the next studies.

The point of Conceptual Framework of the report was repeatedly mentioned to add on before the final report distributed.

H.E. Khut Chandara, Representative of Third Commission of the National Assembly, was providing closing speech. He underlined the main points as following:

He admitted that the study shows some issues, but gradually the issues would be solved because Samdech Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia has measured to crack down the issues. He also, stated that Climate Change, including human-induced Climate Change, has happened in the study sites and on the world. He further stressed that Cambodia ratified UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and other conventions in order to collaborate with the world talking the Climate Change issues.

His Excellency claimed that according to the National Report on Climate Change, 64.6M Ton of carbon reduced annually in Cambodia. Cambodia commits to have zero carbon emission by 2050.

In each COP on Climate Change, members claim to have Green Climate Funds to manage biodiversity and rivers of the countries, he stressed. He encouraged NGOF and Development Partners to support many more studies and projects to help solve issues on Climate Change in Cambodia.

He admitted that the study findings are important to contribute to the Royal Government of Cambodia policies for sustainable developments in the Cambodia Peace and Security periods. However, Climate Change is complicated and multifaceted fields that require all stakeholders to commit with the Royal Government of Cambodia to take concerns into consideration.

He believed that the meeting implied that stakeholders are open and transparent to provide their concerns and inputs. He thanked and wished all the participants, in-person and online, for the best wishes and declared the workshop closed.