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Building Resilience of Cambodian Communities Using Natural Infrastructure and Promoting Diversified Livelihoods

By IW:LEARN

July 23^rd, 2025

Community-Led Mangrove Restoration in Cambodia as a Nature-Based Solution for Coastal Resilience

A large-scale community-led mangrove restoration initiative was carried out in Chumpu Khmao Village, Tuol Totoeng Commune, Prey Nop District, Preah Sihanouk Province. Led by the Ministry of Environment, Cambodia, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the initiative saw the planting of 25,000 mangrove saplings, reinforcing Cambodia’s dedication to protecting marine ecosystems and building climate resilience.

Over 100 participants joined the planting event, including representatives from national and sub-national authorities, community members, teachers, women’s groups, youth, and students. This inclusive approach empowered local stakeholders to take ownership of their environment and served as a practical demonstration of how local action can support global marine goals.

The restoration program directly supports Cambodia’s Circular Strategy on Environment (2023–2028), which commits to reforesting at least one million trees annually. By restoring degraded mangrove ecosystems, the initiative enhances the health of marine habitats that serve as breeding and nursery grounds for important fisheries species. These ecosystems not only sustain biodiversity but also serve as natural coastal buffers, reducing the risks of storm surges and coastal erosion while storing carbon and mitigating climate change.

Mangrove Planting Event. Photo by Mr. Math Ousman

“This planting of 25,000 mangrove trees marks a meaningful step forward in realizing Cambodia’s commitments made at the Third United Nations Ocean Conference and under the Circular Strategy on Environment”

said H.E. Kop Roly, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment.

“It supports our vision of a clean, green, and sustainable Cambodia by enhancing climate resilience, promoting reforestation, and supporting local livelihoods. This initiative reflects our dedication to environmental integrity, increasing forest cover, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.”

This mangrove restoration activity exemplifies how community empowerment, supported by strong national frameworks and international collaboration, can lead to tangible results in protecting marine habitats.

Cambodia’s call for stronger international partnerships and increased financing for nature-based solutions (NbS) underscores the importance of scaling up such efforts globally.

By combining grassroots engagement with national and international priorities, Cambodia is demonstrating that local action is essential to global impact, protecting our coasts, our climate, and our future.

About the project:

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) of Cambodia, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) are currently implementing a project entitled "Building Resilience of Cambodian Communities Using Natural Infrastructure and Promoting Diversified Livelihoods" in Prey Nob district, Preach Sihanouk province. The project will analyze gendered response options for vulnerability reduction and increased resilience and suggest ways to enhance coordination and alignment with national and regional initiatives for coastal resilience and ecosystem preservation and mainstreaming of the natural infrastructure approaches. In addition, the project will aim to using these approaches to increase the social, economic, and ecosystem resilience of target communities, with a special focus on healthy mangrove ecosystems as a fundamental element of resilience of people and ecosystems.

For more information, please contact Seyla Sok (seylasok@gmail.com) and Channimol Ky (kychannimol@gmail.com) or visit the dedicated page on iwlearn.net.

About the Ministry of Environment

The Ministry of Environment, Cambodia (MoE) was established in 1993 and was assigned by the Royal Government to lead and manage the environmental sector of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

To know more about MoE: Facebook Page | https://www.moe.gov.kh/en

Footnotes

Words by KY Channimol. Cover photo: Women from the Chumpu Khmao Fishing Community planting mangroves in Prey Nob District, Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia. Photo by Mr. Math Ousman.

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FootNotes

Words by KY Channimol. Cover photo: Women from the Chumpu Khmao Fishing Community planting mangroves in Prey Nob District, Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia. Photo by Mr. Math Ousman.