Cambodia – On 14 January 2026, the 3rd Project Management Committee (PMC) Meeting for the Mekong REDD+ Project–Phase 1 (P1) was held in a hybrid format with representatives from Cambodia’s Forestry Administration (FA), the AFoCO Secretariat, and Woori Bank Korea. The meeting was chaired by the FA, and Dr. Cheang Dany, Deputy Director General (DDG) of the FA, welcomed participants and reiterated the importance of continued cooperation among partners.
Reviewing follow-up actions and 2025 implementation progress
The Committee reviewed follow-up actions from the previous PMC and received the PMU’s update. The PMU also presented the 2025 Project Progress and Financial Report, and the Committee discussed overall implementation performance and financial status.
Reviewing follow-up actions and 2025 implementation progress
Discussions reflected key progress achieved in 2025, including strengthened community-based management and livelihood-linked conservation:
- Community-based ecotourism (CBET): In 2025, Koh Han CBET welcomed 14,572 visitors (including 370 international visitors)—demonstrating growing local tourism value and community engagement.
- Forest protection and enforcement: In 2025, the law enforcement team addressed 133 cases of illegal land encroachment covering 471.43 ha, with cases filed to the court; 88 families voluntarily returned 278.94 ha after recognizing the areas were under community forest management.
- Livelihood support: The project supported resin and wild honey enterprises and related capacity-building, contributing to diversified community income opportunities.
Key decisions: budget reallocation and 2026 workplan
The Committee discussed planning and coordination arrangements for the upcoming year, including the project’s Annual Work and Budget Plan (AWBP) for 2026, and agreed on next steps to ensure smooth implementation and timely delivery of planned activities.
Updates on carbon-standard readiness and governance documents
Under “Other Matters,” the PMU noted that the Second Addendum to the MoU had been signed by all parties. The PMU also shared updates on the project’s documentation for carbon-standard processes, and AFoCO requested relevant draft documents be shared for review and technical input. In addition, the meeting exchanged views on draft governance and operational documents and agreed to continue review and consultation through existing coordination mechanisms.
Looking ahead
The meeting concluded with appreciation to all participants for constructive discussions and a shared commitment to maintain close coordination toward upcoming milestones. The parties generally agreed to convene the 4th PMC Meeting in November or December 2026, with the date to be confirmed.
Submitted by Minkyu Cha, Assistant Program Officer, Project Team 2