Background
Provincial working groups coordinate local government departments, protected-area managers, community representatives, and partner organizations to implement area-based management plans. The 2026–2030 management plan for the Stung Treng Ramsar site defines an action plan intended for implementation at the provincial level.
On 18 August 2026, the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Wetland Conservation, in cooperation with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), convened a provincial consultation at the Stung Treng provincial environment office to discuss creation of a provincial working group for the Stung Treng Ramsar wetland area. Participants included provincial environment officials, relevant technical departments, municipal and district administrations, commune representatives, protected-area staff, community representatives, private-sector actors, and partner organizations.
Key Developments
Meeting participants agreed in principle to establish a provincial working group to strengthen coordination of Stung Treng Ramsar area management. Attendees requested that the draft decision creating the working group be revised to incorporate final inputs from stakeholders. The forum reviewed progress, identified challenges and priorities, and asked participating agencies to submit additional inputs and to clarify their roles in implementing the 2026–2030 action plan.
Institutional Role
The consultation was led by senior officials from the Ministry of Environment together with provincial leadership, reflecting an intent to anchor the working group within provincial administrative structures. Stakeholders discussed defining the membership and responsibilities of provincial departments, protected-area management staff, local administrations, community representatives, and partner organizations for coordinated implementation of the management plan.
Operational Implications
Agreed next steps include revising the draft decision on the provincial working group, collecting final stakeholder inputs, and assigning participation responsibilities for the 2026–2030 action plan. The meeting outcome signals a formalization process intended to clarify coordination arrangements at the provincial level for Ramsar site implementation.
Source documents
Meeting announcement and the management plan are available from the Ministry of Environment: https://moe.gov.kh/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/STRS-MP_2026-2030_KH1.pdf
