Cambodia, US Deepen Environmental Law Enforcement Cooperation
Cambodia, US Deepen Environmental Law Enforcement Cooperation
PHNOM PENH, 4 August 2026 — Cambodia and the United States have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on combating forest and natural resource crimes through the use of advanced technology to improve monitoring, investigations and law enforcement.
The agreement was discussed during a meeting on Aug. 3 between Cambodian Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth and Devineni Udaykiran, Acting Attaché of the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) based in Ho Chi Minh City.
According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment, the two sides discussed expanding cooperation in enforcing laws against natural resource crimes by utilizing modern technologies to enhance the monitoring, investigation and prevention of forest-related offences.
During the meeting, Eang reaffirmed the Cambodian government’s commitment to protecting the country’s natural resources.
He said the Ministry of Environment has continued to take strict legal action against all violations involving natural resources without exception, adding that all cases are compiled and referred to the courts for further legal proceedings.
The minister also highlighted the implementation of the ministry’s Environmental Sector Circular Strategy, particularly its “Greenness 2.1” initiative, which focuses on restoring and expanding forest cover. He noted that the ministry has introduced advanced technological monitoring systems as part of its strategy to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of natural resource conservation.
For his part, Udaykiran praised the ministry’s efforts and its firm enforcement measures against environmental crimes.
He reaffirmed the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations’ commitment to supporting Cambodia through technical capacity building and the provision of advanced technologies to strengthen efforts to combat natural resource crimes and promote the sustainable management of Cambodia’s natural resources.
