"NA approves environmental law", 13 May 2023

The National Assembly's (NA) Standing Committee … received a draft copy of new environment and natural resources laws for review and study. The draft was proposed to re-define natural resource management procedures.

Chaired by NA president Heng Samrin, the committee opened a session to approve the draft code and handed it over to the Commission on Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment and Water Resources for review…

The government drew up the code of environment and natural resources laws in response to the current situation in the country.

Current circumstances require a reform of the Kingdom’s environment and natural resource management, in the context of the country’s development.

The Council of Ministers – chaired by Prime Minister Hun Sen – approved the draft code during an … plenary session.

“The code was drawn up to bring together the provisions of current laws, by integrating, harmonising and modernising them in a realistic, consistent and comprehensive manner,” said the council in a press release.

“We are continuing to kick-start the process of national development and the strengthening of the rule of law to a new stage of our journey towards green and sustainable development,” it added.

It said the new draft code will strengthen and improve the management of the environment, the protection, conservation and restoration of natural resources, biodiversity, ecosystem functions and sustainable living. It will also set a common strategic direction for environmental protection and natural resource conservation.