Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning.  It is my great pleasure to join you here this morning at the Private Sector Forum on the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Law.

Today’s forum is important, because it addresses a challenge that Cambodia, as well as many countries around the world, are facing:  How do we pursue economic development without sacrificing the health of our environment? 

Experience around the world has shown us that neglecting the environment for short-term economic gains can impose huge long-term costs on a country’s development and the well-being of its future generations. 

But we do not have to choose between economic opportunities and protecting our planet.  Sustainable development provides the key to pursuing both of these very important objectives at the same time.   

A well-formulated and effective environmental impact assessment law will be an indispensable part of sustainable development.  I applaud His Excellency Minister Sam Al for his leadership in strengthening Cambodia’s legal framework for environmental protection.  The Ministry of Environment also deserves credit for its efforts to develop this important law through an inclusive and transparent process.

Our natural environment has a direct impact on the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and our livelihoods.  As such, community members are key stakeholders in development decisions. 

Today’s forum is part of the Ministry of Environment’s commendable effort to consult the public.  Over the course of two years, public consultations have been held in various parts of the country, providing opportunities for stakeholders to voice their concerns and strengthen the draft law with their inputs. 

It is also important to include the private sector.  Through investment and business development, the private sector has played a crucial role in driving economic growth in Cambodia.  Your companies can continue to make great contributions to Cambodia’s economy, while protecting Cambodia’s environment with environmentally-sustainable business practices.  

The United States is proud to be a partner in promoting sustainable development in Cambodia, through programs such as the USAID-funded Mekong Partnership for the Environment project.  This project will strengthen the technical capacity and regional networking of regional stakeholders in infrastructure planning and investment, the program also aims to increase the social and environmental soundness of development projects in the region.  The Mekong Partnership for the Environment project is implemented by Pact, which has contributed to today’s program. 

I would also like to congratulate the Vishnu Law Group for its technical support and collaboration with the Ministry through the drafting and consultation process.

It is great to see so many of you present here today.  I applaud all of your support in the drafting and consultation process of the environmental impact assessment law, which promises to bring the right balance between environmental protection and economic development.  I believe that your inputs will go a long way in helping to formulate an effective law.

Thank you.