AGP Executive Report

Environmental Cooperation: Cambodia and the EU are expanding work to protect nature reserves, tackle illegal logging and land encroachment, promote low-carbon farming and cut plastic waste. The ministry also plans to use satellite technology and AI to spot violations. Clean Transport: Cambodia registered nearly 18,000 electric vehicles from 2021 to September 2026, including 7,609 in the latest seven months as fuel prices surged. Tonle Sap: Climate change and upstream dams are disrupting the lake’s flood cycle, shrinking fish catches and threatening the livelihoods of floating-village residents. Drought and Floods: El Niño is expected to persist through February 2027 after drought and flooding damaged rice crops. Authorities are urging water conservation and careful dry-season planning. Climate Pollution: A new three-year, US$4 million programme will target methane, black carbon and other potent pollutants from agriculture, waste, energy and transport. Wildlife: Six Irrawaddy dolphin calves born this year bring Cambodia’s estimated population to 118, offering hope for recovery if threats to the Mekong are curbed.

Community Climate Resilience: ActionAid Cambodia has launched a three-year project to strengthen livelihoods and protect the Tonlé Sap ecosystem, with direct support for 1,000 people and wider benefits for 60,000. It will focus on including women, small-scale farmers, fishers and other marginalized groups in decisions. El Niño and Water: With the rainy season expected to end this week and El Niño forecast to persist through February, officials urge water conservation. Drought and floods have already damaged rice crops and raised food-security concerns. Cutting Pollution: Cambodia’s new $4 million, three-year program targets methane, black carbon and refrigerant emissions from agriculture, waste, energy and transport, with potential benefits for air quality and health. Wildlife: Six Irrawaddy dolphin calves born this year bring Cambodia’s estimated population to 118, but conservationists say recovery depends on reducing environmental threats to the Mekong. Climate and Health: Cambodia ranked third in a global assessment of how well national climate plans address public health, scoring 24 out of 32. Protected Areas: Authorities report 228 crimes uncovered in Kratie’s protected areas over nine months, including land encroachment, forest and wildlife offenses, and illegal mining.

Water and El Niño: Cambodia is urging households and authorities to conserve water as the rainy season ends and El Niño is expected to persist through February 2027. The ministry says weaker rainfall could strain supplies after drought and floods hit farmers. Climate and Health: Cambodia ranks third in a global assessment of how well national climate plans address public health, scoring highly for tackling risks including heat, air pollution and disasters. Cleaner Air: A new government programme targets super pollutants including methane, black carbon and HFCs to cut emissions and protect public health. Protected Areas: Officials report 228 cases uncovered in nine months across six Kratie sanctuaries, including land encroachment, forest and wildlife crimes, and illegal mining. Wildlife: Conservationists released a captive-bred greater adjutant stork at Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary, helping strengthen the species’ wild population. Separately, rangers removed nearly five miles of snares from Samlout forest in 2025, where conservationists work to protect threatened wildlife. Children at Risk: UNICEF warns that more than 1.3 million Cambodian children face risks from the strong El Niño, adding urgency to preparations for heat and water shortages.

Pollution: Cambodia launched a Super Pollutant Accelerator Programme to curb methane, black carbon and HFCs, targeting harmful air pollution and climate emissions. Protected Areas: More than 1,400 inspections in six Kratie sanctuaries uncovered 228 reported crimes over nine months, including land encroachment, forest and wildlife offences, mining and illegal construction; 47 cases were sent to court. Wildlife: A third captive-bred greater adjutant chick has been released at Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary, as conservationists work to bolster the vulnerable species. Forest Conservation: The Maddox Foundation says its two-decade effort in Samlout forest supports local communities and wildlife; rangers removed nearly 4.8 miles of snares in 2025. Climate and Disasters: UNICEF warns a strong El Niño could put more than 1.3 million Cambodian children at risk. Disasters have already killed 79 people this year and destroyed 18,000 hectares of rice fields, with hundreds of thousands more hectares damaged. Human-Wildlife Conflict: Authorities are tracking an elephant herd after a boy was killed and his mother injured in an attack.

Air Pollution and Climate: Cambodia has launched a Super Pollutant Accelerator Programme to cut methane, black carbon and HFC emissions, improve air quality and curb climate impacts. Climate Risks: Disasters killed 79 people in the first nine months of 2026 and destroyed 18,000 hectares of rice fields; floods and drought also damaged hundreds of thousands of hectares. UNICEF warns that about 1.3 million Cambodian children face risks from unusually wet or dry conditions linked to El Niño. Wildlife: Authorities are tracking six elephants in Preah Vihear after a herd killed a boy and injured his mother, as it moves through traditional routes. Sustainable Farming: Siem Reap cooperative leader Set Hach has been named among FAO’s 100 Women Heroes for growing a farmer group to 540 members and promoting composting and integrated farming.

Disaster Toll: Floods and drought killed 79 people and injured 73 in Cambodia in the first nine months of 2026. They destroyed 18,000 hectares of rice fields and damaged nearly 400,000 more; authorities are rushing aid to flood-hit communities. UNICEF also warns that El Niño could expose 1.3 million Cambodian children to unusually wet or dry conditions. Wildlife and Communities: Authorities are tracking six elephants through Preah Vihear after an attack killed an 11-year-old boy and injured his mother. In Ratanakiri, Bunong community members are asking the court for clemency for villagers summoned over the burning of a wildlife ranger post following a young woman’s death during an enforcement operation. Urban Sanitation: Officials have reviewed engineering plans for household sewer connections in Takhmao, a key step toward getting the city’s wastewater system operating effectively and protecting the environment.

Disaster Toll: Floods, drought and storms killed 79 people in Cambodia in the first nine months of 2026. They destroyed 18,000 hectares of rice fields and damaged nearly 400,000 more, as authorities rush aid to flood-hit families. Wildlife and Communities: Six elephants are being tracked through Preah Vihear’s Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary after a boy was killed and his mother injured. Residents have been urged to avoid forest areas and the Stung Sen River. Protected Areas: Bunong community members are asking for clemency for villagers summoned over the burning of a ranger office in Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary. The arson followed a young woman’s death during an enforcement operation linked to alleged gold mining; the villagers are due in court on Oct. 20. Climate Risks: UNICEF warns that about 1.3 million Cambodian children could face unusually wet or dry conditions, threatening health, schooling and family livelihoods.

Wildlife Conflict: Authorities are tracking six wild elephants with drones in Preah Vihear after the herd killed an 11-year-old boy and injured his mother. The animals are moving along historic routes through the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary; residents are urged to avoid forest areas and the Stung Sen River. Climate Risks: UNICEF warns that about 1.3 million Cambodian children could face unusually wet or dry conditions linked to El Niño, threatening health, schooling and family livelihoods. Land Use: Cambodia’s spatial planning committee approved draft plans for five provinces and several municipalities and districts, which are intended to guide development while protecting the environment. Wildlife Trade: A report says Cambodia’s monkey trade remains a concern despite calls for tighter controls. Climate Action: Cambodia has reaffirmed its pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

Human-Elephant Conflict: A wild elephant herd killed an 11-year-old boy and seriously injured his mother in Preah Vihear. Wildlife rangers are tracking the animals and urging residents to avoid their routes, while warning against harming the elephants. El Niño Risks: UNICEF warns that more than 1.3 million Cambodian children are at risk from a strong El Niño. Farmers are already adapting to erratic rain: floods damaged about 156,000 hectares of rice fields across 10 provinces, while one Preah Vihear farmer is using mobile forecasts to plan fieldwork. Flood Response: Authorities distributed aid to 1,324 flood-affected families in Battambang.**

Sustainable Agriculture: Cambodia marked World Food Day in Ratanakiri on Friday, promoting agricultural innovation, sustainable food production and rural livelihoods. Farmers received vegetable seeds and tree seedlings. Climate Risks: An FAO-supported farmer in Preah Vihear is using weather forecasts to plan for drought and floods. Flooding had damaged about 156,000 hectares of rice fields across 10 provinces by September 30, while El Niño is expected to intensify late this year. UNICEF warns that more than 1.3 million Cambodian children are at risk from the strong El Niño. Nature Funding: Ahead of the COP17 biodiversity summit, global funding to protect nature is falling short. A UN progress report found fewer than half of countries’ biodiversity targets are on track; current plans would protect just 26% of land and 12% of seas by 2030.

Food and Farming: Cambodia marked World Food Day in Ratanakiri with a focus on agricultural innovation, sustainable production and rural livelihoods, including seed and tree-seedling distribution. In Preah Vihear, farmer Sokhom Kha uses mobile forecasts to plan around drought and erratic rain; floods had damaged about 156,000 hectares of rice fields across 10 provinces by Sept. 30. Climate Risks: UNICEF warns that a strong El Niño could put more than 1.3 million Cambodian children at risk, underscoring the need to prepare communities for worsening heat and water shortages. Flood Relief: Battambang authorities distributed aid to 1,324 flood-affected families, while urging residents to use safe water and take precautions. Wildlife: Cambodia’s monkey trade remains under scrutiny, with regulators reportedly yet to meet calls to clean it up.

Climate and Health: Cambodia scored 24 out of 32 in a global review of how countries address health in their climate plans, placing it among the top performers. El Niño Risks: UNICEF warns that more than 1.3 million Cambodian children could face risks from a strong El Niño, underscoring the need for better preparedness. Wildlife Trade: CITES says Cambodia has made little progress in tightening oversight of its macaque trade, leaving concerns about fraud and threats to wild populations unresolved. Plastic Waste: Ahead of Pchum Ben, environmental advocates are urging people to replace plastic-wrapped offerings with reusable baskets and containers. Climate Action: Cambodia reaffirmed its emissions-reduction commitment at a Phnom Penh forum on AI and climate, while calling for technology transfers and funding to help developing countries respond to climate impacts. Environmental Defenders: International rights groups renewed calls for the release of five imprisoned Mother Nature Cambodia activists, citing a UN finding that their detention was arbitrary.

Wildlife Trade: CITES says Cambodia has made little progress in curbing fraud and corruption in its long-tailed macaque trade, raising continued concerns for endangered wild populations. Climate and Health: Cambodia ranked third in a global scorecard for addressing health in its climate plan, scoring 24 out of 32. Flood Preparedness: Cambodia joined a regional exchange in Laos on improving flood forecasting and disaster response. Flood Impacts: Heavy rain inundated Krakor Referral Hospital in Pursat, forcing 152 patients to evacuate and damaging wards and equipment. Children at Risk: UNICEF warns that a strong El Niño could put more than 1.3 million Cambodian children at risk. Waste Reduction: Ahead of Pchum Ben, advocates urged people and vendors to replace plastic-wrapped offerings with reusable baskets and other alternatives. Climate Action: At a Phnom Penh forum, Cambodia reaffirmed its emissions-cutting commitment and called for technology and financial support to help developing countries tackle climate change.

Plastic Waste: Ahead of Pchum Ben, a Cambodian monk is urging people to replace plastic-wrapped offerings with reusable baskets and food carriers, though cost and convenience remain barriers. Flood Risk: Floodwaters forced 152 patients from Krakor Referral Hospital in Pursat, damaging wards and equipment and underscoring the threat to essential services. El Niño: UNICEF warns 1.3 million Cambodian children face climate-related risks, including water shortages, disrupted schooling and healthcare; more than 3,800 schools and 400 health centres are highly vulnerable to disasters. Climate Action: Cambodia renewed its pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions at a Phnom Penh forum, calling for international finance and technology to help countries use AI in climate response. Cambodia is also among five countries with targets to reduce black carbon, a major source of air pollution and warming. Clean Energy: September investment approvals included two solar plants in Pursat, with a combined capacity of 380 megawatts and investment of US$258 million.

Flood Emergency: Heavy rain flooded Krakor Referral Hospital in Pursat on Tuesday night, forcing the evacuation of 152 patients and damaging wards and equipment. El Niño Risks: UNICEF warns that about 1.3 million Cambodian children face climate-related threats, including water shortages, drought and flooding; more than 3,872 schools and 401 health centres are highly disaster-vulnerable. Climate Action: A new global scorecard ranks Cambodia among five countries with targets to cut black carbon, which harms health and drives warming. At a climate forum in Phnom Penh, officials also called for technology and funding to help Cambodia respond to climate threats. Coastal Resilience: Twenty climate-resilient homes are being built in Koh Kong, where communities face strong winds, rising seas and erosion. Elsewhere, new roads near Knorng Psar have improved access but raised concerns about forest clearing and pressure on local ecotourism.

El Niño Risk: UNICEF warns that about 1.3 million Cambodian children face climate-related threats from an unusually strong 2026–27 El Niño, including water shortages, disrupted schooling and pressure on family incomes. More than 3,872 schools and 401 health centers are highly vulnerable to disasters. Disaster Preparedness: Prime Minister Hun Manet called for stronger disaster-response capacity, better flood and drought management, and improved local water infrastructure as climate change and environmental degradation intensify risks. Climate Action: Cambodia hosted an AI forum in Phnom Penh, where officials urged technology transfer and funding to help developing countries use AI in areas such as energy, farming, forest management and early warnings. Coastal Resilience: Twenty climate-resilient homes are being built in Koh Kong’s Boeng Kachhang, where strong winds, rising seas and erosion damage homes and cause flooding. Forest and Livelihoods: New roads to Knorng Psar improve access but have raised concerns about forest clearing, biodiversity and the livelihoods of local ecotourism guides.