Minister of Environment H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth is leading a high-level Cambodian delegation to the 17th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP17), taking place in Yerevan, Armenia, from Oct. 25 to 29, 2026.
The delegation includes senior ministry officials, representatives from relevant Royal Government institutions, civil society organisations, conservation partners, youth networks, indigenous communities, and private sector stakeholders.
Participating under the theme “Taking Action for Nature,” Cambodia aims to reaffirm its commitment to protecting biodiversity and managing natural resources alongside other states parties and the global community.
During the summit, H.E. Dr. Sophalleth is scheduled to deliver a keynote address detailing Cambodia’s environmental policies, strategic goals, and national initiatives, focusing on:
National Conservation Efforts: Strategic actions to protect, conserve, and restore natural resources and biodiversity while promoting sustainable utilization nationwide.
Global Contributions: Active engagement with international partners to halt biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems impacted by climate change.
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2026-2030): Unveiling Cambodia’s five-year strategic policy framework designed to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and achieve core national biodiversity objectives.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Minister and delegation representatives will hold bilateral and multilateral talks with foreign leaders and international partner organisations. H.E. Dr. Sophalleth will also attend Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) meetings in his capacity as a board member.
These engagements are aimed at strengthening international cooperation, mobilising environmental financing, and demonstrating Cambodia’s shared commitment with global partners to address pressing environmental challenges.
Cambodia’s participation underscores its support for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a global roadmap designed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. As a party to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Cambodia remains committed to fulfilling its international obligations and contributing to global environmental solutions.
COP17 has gathered approximately 15,000 participants – including world leaders, government delegates from 196 member states, experts, researchers, academic institutions, conservationists, development partners, and private sector representatives – to deliberate and adopt action plans to ensure sustainable biodiversity for future generations.
