Latest news with #PentagonalStrategy
The Star
20-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Green gold: Cambodia's largest tree nursery to be completed by end of May
Environment minister Eang Sophalleth inspecting the construction of a new tree nursery in Ta Sal commune, in Kampong Speu province's Oral district. - Environment ministry PHNOM PENH: The kingdom's largest tree nursery, located in Kampong Speu province, will be completed by the end of May. Once operational, it will allow the Ministry of Environment to produce up to 10 million tree saplings per year across its five regional nurseries. This announcement was made by environment minister Eang Sophalleth during last weekend's groundbreaking ceremony for a new access road and supporting infrastructure at the Khnang Phsar Mountain in Ta Sal commune, in Kampong Speu province's Oral district. 'The largest tree nursery in Cambodia is right here in Kampong Speu. It will be completed by the end of this month and will be able to produce over one million saplings per year. These will be distributed to areas like Kampot, Kampong Speu, Preah Sihanouk and Kandal provinces,' he said. 'Next year, we plan to increase production to two million saplings. Not only that, we have land available to grow and maintain trees for up to five years. We'll be planting large mature trees in towns and provinces — free of charge. That's why Kampong Speu is a top priority,' he added. The ministry is currently building five regional tree nurseries: The first, in Tbong Khmum province, covers 3 hectares. Siem Reap will be 10 hectares, Kampong Speu 20, Mondulkiri 10 and Koh Kong 3. 'Our goal is to promote tree planting and Cambodia's greenery. Green spaces mean cleaner air. Clean air equals carbon neutrality. When our air is clean, carbon and methane emissions are absorbed by the trees, creating a balance — this is what carbon neutrality and clean air mean,' said the minister. After the groundbreaking ceremony, he inspected the Kampong Speu nursery site. He announced that in 2025, the ministry will distribute 3 million free saplings under the theme 'Ponlork Baitong'. These will include three types of trees: luxury hardwood timber species, fruit trees and one million sugar palms. This will be the second edition of the 'Ponlork Baitong' campaign. The first, in July 2024, saw 1.3 million saplings distributed to the public for planting in public spaces and forest restoration areas. It is the second pillar of Cambodia's Environmental Sector Strategic Plan, and aligns with phase one of the seventh-mandate government's Pentagonal Strategy. 'In future years, the Ministry will produce 10 million saplings annually for distribution to the public, supporting Cambodia's commitment to increasing forest cover and contributing to climate change mitigation, while helping local communities become greener and teaching the next generation about the value of natural resources,' explained Sophalleth. In addition, he noted that the new tress will benefit national development through carbon credit initiatives and support community economic infrastructure through the development of green tourism zones. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodian PM and deputy urge police to step up fight against cybercrime
PHNOM PENH: Two of Cambodia's top officials have raised concerns about online security challenges in 2025, identifying internet fraud as a major issue among several threats that require heightened attention from the National Police. The concerns were articulated by Prime Minister Hun Manet and Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior, in separate letters addressed to the National Police on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Police Day, to be held on May 16. Manet, while acknowledging the numerous achievements of the National Police and commending their efforts in maintaining security across Cambodia, also highlighted the evolving global situation. He noted that the world is likely to face increasingly complex and unpredictable developments, with new challenges emerging that could impact Cambodia's political stability, security and public order. Despite the continued peace enjoyed by the kingdom, Manet pointed out the growing threat posed by new types of crime, including non-traditional offences, technology-related crimes and organised criminal activities. He emphasised that these challenges underscore the critical need to ensure security and societal safety, which are foundational to the first phase of his Pentagonal Strategy, the seventh-mandate government's national development framework. He called on police officers at all levels to intensify their efforts with a strong sense of national conscience, dedication, and sacrifice. 'I have great hope and firm confidence in the patriotic spirit, love for the homeland and loyalty of all our National Police officers,' Manet stated. He expressed satisfaction with their efforts and pledged continued support, both in spirit and resources, to ensure the police remain a high-quality, effective and prestigious law enforcement force. Echoing similar concerns, Sokha noted that 2025 and the years ahead will continue to be marked by a complex and unpredictable global environment. He cited factors such as geopolitical competition, military dominance by major powers, ongoing wars, and ethnic and religious conflicts in various regions as contributing to this uncertainty. He also highlighted a rise in cross-border criminal activities, particularly technology-related crimes, which he believed have varying degrees of impact on Cambodia. While expressing confidence that Cambodia is on track to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030, he acknowledged that lingering and emerging challenges could negatively affect national security and public order. Among the issues he identified were the 'toxic schemes' of opposition groups that continue to harbour ambitions of overthrowing the government through colour-revolution tactics, as well as crimes such as theft, robbery, drug trafficking, human trafficking and, notably, the rise of internet fraud. 'These issues are directly tied to the responsibilities of the National Police,' he said. He emphasised the need for a conscientious approach to collectively safeguard peace, national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and public order. 'The National Police at all levels must remain constantly vigilant in fulfilling their duties with conscience and professionalism, working together to protect peace, independence, national sovereignty, territorial integrity, ensure security, public order and societal safety, safeguard national achievements, elevate national honour and prestige, and serve the people with loyalty,' he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodian PM, DPM urge police to step up fight against cyber-crimes
PHNOM PENH: Two of the Kingdom's top officials have raised concerns about online security challenges in 2025, identifying internet fraud as a major issue among several threats that require heightened attention from the National Police. The concerns were articulated by Prime Minister Hun Manet and Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior, in separate letters addressed to the National Police on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Police Day, to be held on Friday (May 16). Manet, while acknowledging the numerous achievements of the National Police and commending their efforts in maintaining security across Cambodia, also highlighted the evolving global situation. He noted that the world is likely to face increasingly complex and unpredictable developments, with new challenges emerging that could impact Cambodia's political stability, security and public order. Despite the continued peace enjoyed by the Kingdom, Manet pointed out the growing threat posed by new types of crime, including non-traditional offenses, technology-related crimes and organised criminal activities. He emphasised that these challenges underscore the critical need to ensure security and societal safety, which are foundational to the first phase of his Pentagonal Strategy, the seventh-mandate government's national development framework. He called on police officers at all levels to intensify their efforts with a strong sense of national conscience, dedication, and sacrifice. 'I have great hope and firm confidence in the patriotic spirit, love for the homeland and loyalty of all our National Police officers,' Manet stated. He expressed satisfaction with their efforts and pledged continued support, both in spirit and resources, to ensure the police remain a high-quality, effective and prestigious law enforcement force. Echoing similar concerns, Sokha noted that 2025 and the years ahead will continue to be marked by a complex and unpredictable global environment. He cited factors such as geopolitical competition, military dominance by major powers, ongoing wars, and ethnic and religious conflicts in various regions as contributing to this uncertainty. He also highlighted a rise in cross-border criminal activities, particularly technology-related crimes, which he believed have varying degrees of impact on Cambodia. While expressing confidence that Cambodia is on track to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030, he acknowledged that lingering and emerging challenges could negatively affect national security and public order. Among the issues he identified were the 'toxic schemes' of opposition groups that continue to harbour ambitions of overthrowing the government through colour-revolution tactics, as well as crimes such as theft, robbery, drug trafficking, human trafficking and, notably, the rise of internet fraud. 'These issues are directly tied to the responsibilities of the National Police,' he said. He emphasised the need for a conscientious approach to collectively safeguard peace, national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and public order. 'The National Police at all levels must remain constantly vigilant in fulfilling their duties with conscience and professionalism, working together to protect peace, independence, national sovereignty, territorial integrity, ensure security, public order and societal safety, safeguard national achievements, elevate national honour and prestige, and serve the people with loyalty,' he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
