The Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor) Project Launches to Drive Sustainable Forest Management and Boost Local Livelihoods in Cambodia.
The Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor) Project Launches to Drive Sustainable Forest Management and Boost Local Livelihoods in Cambodia.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia (17.05.2024)— The Community Action for Sustainable Forests (CASFor) project was officially launched, aiming to advance sustainable forest management and enhance local livelihoods in Cambodia. This collaborative initiative brings together the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Ministry of Environment (MoE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), RECOFTC, and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), with support from the Swiss agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Promoting Sustainability and Resilience
CASFor is designed to align with climate and biodiversity goals by employing a participatory, market-driven approach. The project targets 24 districts across five provinces in Cambodia, benefiting approximately 86,000 people. It supports partners, community forests (CFs), and community protected areas (CPAs) in adapting their activities to meet market demand while integrating community-based forest operations into Cambodia's monitoring systems using satellite data.
Statements from Key Leaders
H.E. Pedro Zwahlen, Swiss Ambassador to Cambodia, emphasized Switzerland's commitment to natural resource management: “Switzerland focuses on natural resource management to increase communities' resilience to climate change and disasters. We support communities in securing equitable access to natural resources, land, forest, and water, and in building their capacities to manage these resources sustainably. Our goal is for future generations to continue benefiting from these resources. From 2014 to 2023, SDC has already provided a program contribution to the Partnership for Forestry and Fishery.”
Rebekha Bell, FAO Representative in Cambodia, highlighted the project's objectives: "CASFor aims to promote sustainable forest management, resilience, and local livelihoods. Aligned with climate and biodiversity goals, it employs a participatory, market-driven approach to leverage opportunities while safeguarding forests. It assists stakeholders in adapting activities to meet market demand and integrates community-based forest operations into Cambodia's monitoring systems using satellite data."
Inaugural Event
The launch event was attended by several high-profile dignitaries, including H.E. Chan Chesda, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; H.E. Pedro Zwahlen, Swiss Ambassador; Ms. Rebekha Bell, FAO Representative in Cambodia; Mr. Seng Soth, Deputy Director General of General Directorate of Local Community, Ministry of Environment; Mr. Markus Bürli, Director of Cooperation, Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency in Cambodia; Dr. Chheng Dany, Deputy Director General of Forestry Administration, MAFF; along with representatives from the Forestry Administration, Swiss Cooperation Office, development partners, academia, NGOs, private sectors, sub-national administrations, and community representatives.
Looking Forward
CASFor is expected to play a critical role in promoting sustainable forest management and boosting local livelihoods in Cambodia. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders and leveraging market-driven strategies, the project aims to create resilient and sustainable communities, ensuring that forests are managed responsibly for future generations.