Month: February 2024

Cambodia and the United States (U.S.) are committed to further promoting military cooperation to contribute to peacekeeping, world stability, and development.

The commitment was made in a recent meeting between H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), and H.E. Jed Royal, the Principal Deputy Assistant Director for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs in Phnom Penh, at the RCAF’s headquarters.

H.E. Gen. Vong Pisen recalled the historical relationship between the two countries since 1950, particularly on human resources training, exchange of visits and information, prevention of terrorism and transnational crimes, humanitarian activities, and disaster response.

H.E. Jed Royal expressed his appreciation of the rapid development of Cambodia and suggested the strengthening of cooperation between both countries’ armies through more U.S. support in Cambodia’s demining efforts and improvement of selection of candidates to study at the U.S. Security Centre.

The U.S. also engage
d with Cambodian alumni of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the regional exchange programme.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

The Ministry of Environment welcomes the environment-friendly operation of a Japanese firm, Tromso Co., Ltd., and recommends an investment that will mutually benefit the company and the locals for long-term sustainability.

The Minister of Environment, H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, highlighted the appreciation and suggestion with the President of Tromso, Mr. Masaaki Uesugi, in their meeting on Feb. 28 at the ministry.

According to Mr. Masaaki Uesugi, his firm’s operation, supported by the Japan Forestry Administration, utilises new technology to produce firewood from husks.

The technology does not only discourage the use of firewood by cutting down trees but also contributes to reducing carbon emissions.

H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth appreciated the practice and welcomed the potential investment of the company in Cambodia.

He recommended the firm to optimise the local labour to both offer new livelihood opportunities in the communities it will invest in and sustain the environment-friendly practices for Cambodia a
s well as the world.

The long-term sustainability of an investment project derives from local community empowerment and ownership, he added.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

The 4th Annual Sustainable Agriculture Summit was held here at the Cambodiana Hotel on Feb. 27-28 to support sustainable agriculture production and to expand and build a brand of the Cambodian rice market.

Under the theme ‘Regenerative Agriculture Practices Towards Low Carbon Farming,’ the two-day summit was co-organised by the Cambodian Agriculture Cooperative Corporation Plc. (CACC), Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) and Grow Asia.

The summit was presided over by H.E. Dr. Yang Saing Koma, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, with the participation of H.E. Dr. Mey Kalyan, a Senior Adviser at the Supreme National Economic Council and Chairman of the CACC’s Board, Mr. Chan Sokheang, President of CRF, and representatives of partnered organisations.

‘It aims to pave the way towards sustainable and inclusive agriculture and climate-friendly agriculture and livelihood enhancement for smallholder farmers,’ read a press release issued on Feb. 29.

H.E. Dr. Yang Saing Koma said t
hat the collaboration of all stakeholders for the sustainable agriculture can provide a good example in the implementation of partnerships in the agricultural value chain, including producers, banks and microfinance institutions, rice mills, private sector, developmental partners and the government with a common goal to achieve environmental and economic sustainability for rural farmers.

‘This reflects that all stakeholders are contributing to the implementation of government policies, especially the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The ministry has provided full cooperation and support to strengthen the partnership model with all stakeholders to benefit the farmers,’ he said.

For his part, Mr. Chan Sokheang said that the summit not only provides practical knowledge on Sustainable Rice Standard Programme, Regenerative Rice Farming Standard, Organic Rice Standard, but also a programme that enables all stakeholders to build better relationships and share knowledge and access to new information
on digital agriculture technologies, credits and new agricultural initiatives.

‘The programme also helps show the world that Cambodian agriculture is on the path to international standards contributing to saving the earth, as well as a mechanism for expanding and building a brand of the Cambodian rice market,’ he added.

Ms. Sophoan Phean, National Director of Oxfam, said it was great to see CACC and all relevant stakeholders launch this ambitious agenda. ‘We need to mobilise the support across the sector to deliver real progress in the race to low carbon emissions. We need to support each other and demonstrate our leadership to promote the adoption of RA and ensure better soil health and the reduction of CO2 footprint in agriculture sector,’ she continued.

The event gathered approximately 350 participants, most of whom are leaders of Agriculture Cooperative, representatives from private sector, governments, banks and microfinance institutions, development partners, donors and researchers. The annual meetin
g has already been held three times on different topics.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

Wing Bank, WingCommerce, Amru Rice (Cambodia) Co., Ltd, and Cambodia Agricultural Cooperative have formed a strategic collaboration to enhance rice production and promote sustainable agriculture in Cambodia.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the collaboration was inked during the 4th Sustainable Agriculture Summit in Phnom Penh on Feb. 28.

Under the MoU, agricultural cooperative members of Amru Rice and CACC will be able to utilise the WingCommerce marketplace, including its agricultural e-commerce platform Wingagri, to tap into potential and widen their market reach, read a statement.

Additionally, it said, each member of CACC will be eligible to access financial aid from Wing Bank up to 100 million Riel (about US$25,000) for their farming operations without the need for collateral.

‘This collaborative effort signifies a significant stride towards enhancing Cambodia’s agricultural landscape, fostering sustainability, and empowering stakeholders across the agriculture value chain,’ underlined the sta
tement.

The integration of technology and accessible financial solutions will pave the way for a thriving and environmentally conscious rice production industry, the source said.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

H.E. W. Patrick Murphy, U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, has sent a condolence letter to Samdech Preah Podhivaing Am Limheng, Acting President of the Sangha Council of Mohanikaya Sect and President of Sangha Judicial Council Kingdom of Cambodia, over the loss of venerable Tep Vong.

‘I am greatly saddened to hear about the passing of Samdech Preah Agga Maha Sangha Rajadhipati Tep Vong, Great Supreme Patriarch of the Mohanikaya Order Buddhism of Cambodia, on February 26, 2024,’ wrote the ambassador on Feb. 28.

A greatly revered Buddhist monk, the Great Supreme Patriarch devoted his life to promote Buddhism in Cambodia and contributed to defining the religious landscape for all in the Kingdom, he added.

‘On behalf of the U.S. Embassy to Cambodia, I extend our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the people of the Kingdom of Cambodia on the loss of such a revered figure,’ H.E. W. Patrick Murphy said.

Earlier, on Feb. 27, H.E. Anatoly Borovik, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Cambodia, also express
ed his deepest condolences on the demise of venerable Tep Vong.

‘The passing of Samdech Preah Agga Maha Sangha Rajadhipati Tep Vong is a great loss because he had sacrificed the highest good to serve the people of Cambodia and revive the Sangha Council of Cambodia,’ H.E. Ambassador said.

Venerable Tep Vong passed away in Phnom Penh on Feb. 26 at the age of 93 years old due to natural causes. His body is kept at Ounalom pagoda located in Sangkat Chey Chumneas, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh for religious rituals until the cremation ceremony.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse