On February 13, 2025, the Forestry Administration team implementing the Mekong REDD+ Project, along with representative from AFoCO, met with H.E. Sreng Sophorn, Governor of Kratie Province, and H.E. Sar Soputra, Governor of Stung Treng Province. The meeting was also attended by relevant departments and authorities to provide an update on the Mekong REDD+ Project and discuss key developments in forest conservation and carbon credit initiatives.
Kratie Province
During the meeting with the Kratie Governor, AFoCO and the Forestry Administration highlighted the project’s progress and upcoming implementation plans. The project, set to run for three years from 2025, will integrate Community Forests (CFs) in Kratie with 14 CFs in Steung Treng under the Mekong REDD+ framework. Discussions emphasized the importance of provincial support for CF registration, boundary demarcation, and law enforcement efforts to combat illegal activities. Key stakeholders, including the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (PDAFF), the Department of Environment (DoE), and the Provincial Land Management Department, reaffirmed their cooperation.
The meeting also addressed jurisdictional challenges, particularly the overlapping boundaries. The Governor underscored the need for interdepartmental coordination and called for a formal discussion among FA, PDAFF, and the Land Management Department to clarify roles before the project’s implementation. Local authorities expressed interest in including CFs in Kratie, particularly those with strong restoration potential, in the project framework.
Stung Treng Province
In Stung Treng Province, the discussions focused on the progress of the Mekong REDD+ Project Phase 1 and the preparations for expanding afforestation and reforestation efforts. The FA team reported that law enforcement measures have been successfully conducted with the Governor’s office’s support. The Governor welcomed the initiative, emphasizing its alignment with the government’s priorities in addressing deforestation and illegal encroachment.
Land registration emerged as a critical component of the discussions, with the Governor reiterating the government’s commitment to securing CF land tenure. He acknowledged the importance of integrating carbon market mechanisms into the project, citing the potential benefits for local communities through ecotourism and sustainable agricultural development. The Governor also stressed the need for strengthened law enforcement, recommending closer collaboration between military and police forces to protect state forests.
Commitment to Continued Collaboration
The meetings in both provinces reaffirmed strong local government support for the Mekong REDD+ Project. AFoCO and FA will continue to work closely with provincial authorities and key stakeholders to address administrative challenges, advance CF registration, and ensure effective implementation of conservation and carbon initiatives. Through these efforts, the project aims to enhance forest protection, improve community livelihoods, and contribute to Cambodia’s sustainable development and climate goals.
