Hey, eco-warriors! 🌿 Ministers from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) just wrapped up an epic meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's buzzing capital. Their mission? Team up to save the region's stunning environmental treasures! 🌳🌊
Cambodian Minister of Environment, Eang Sophalleth, kicked off the sixth GMS Environment Ministers' Meeting with a call to action. \"Our region is brimming with natural beauty and biodiversity,\" he said. \"From lush forests to vibrant wetlands, these ecosystems are the heartbeat of millions of livelihoods.\" 🌺🐘
But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. The GMS countries—including Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam—are facing serious environmental challenges like climate change, pollution, and unsustainable development. 😓
\"We're on the brink of major economic growth, but we can't ignore the flip side,\" Sophalleth warned. \"It's time to up our game on climate resilience, boost disaster risk reduction, and invest in infrastructure that's ready for anything Mother Nature throws our way!\" 🌪️⚡
One hot topic? Tackling pollution and waste management, especially cutting down on plastic use. Sophalleth emphasized that cleaner air, water, and soil are not just nice-to-haves—they're essentials for everyone's health and well-being. 🧘♂️💧
The ministers are set to endorse two game-changing documents: the \"2030 Strategic Framework for Accelerating Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability in the GMS\" and the \"Phnom Penh Joint Statement on Plastic Pollution Control.\" Talk about making moves! 📝✍️
Fatima Yasmin, Vice President for Sectors and Themes at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), also weighed in. She stressed the need to weave climate resilience and environmental sustainability into every aspect of development. 🌱
\"ADB is all in,\" Yasmin said, highlighting the bank's $100 billion commitment to climate action in Asia and the Pacific from 2019 to 2030. That's some serious green for going green! 💰🌳
With big plans and bigger hearts, the GMS is gearing up to protect its natural wonders for generations to come. After all, teamwork makes the (sustainable) dream work! 🤝✨
Reference(s):
GMS ministers discuss cooperation to safeguard environmental treasures
cgtn.com
