Episode 19 - Cambodia's Biodiversity Priorities: A Study of Contrasts

Over the past two decades, Cambodia’s economic transition to lower-middle-income status has come at a steep environmental cost—including the loss of a massive share of its humid primary forests. In this two-part episode, we explore the contrasting priorities of Cambodia’s policy makers and Indigenous Peoples. Where do goals overlap and where are they still misaligned? Ken Bopreang, Director of Biodiversity at Cambodia's Ministry of Environment, outlines the state's vision including a massive reforestation effort and new inter-ministerial working groups.Mane Yun, Executive Director of the Cambodia Indigenous Peoples Organization (CIPO), shares the perspective of an indigenous community facing legal challenges for exercising traditional land use patterns. In this episode, we also discuss how multilateral actors and bilateral donors can better serve the needs of Indigenous Peoples.