Cambodian King Calls for Collaborative Action Against Plastic Pollution

• Sommana Yan
• 13 June 2025
• Local News
• 983 Views

In a passionate address to the nation, His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni urged all stakeholders to join forces in managing plastic waste to safeguard the environment. This appeal coincides with National Environment Day and World Environment Day on 5 June, which this year emphasises the urgent need to “Beat Plastic Pollution.”

His Majesty emphasised that the theme serves as both a reminder and a call to action for everyone. “Addressing plastic pollution is not the responsibility of a single individual or institution,” he stated. “It requires a collective effort. Therefore, I urge all sectors of society to unify in support of the Ministry of Environment, striving towards our shared goal of a clean, green, and sustainable world under the slogan: ‘Clean Cambodia, Made by Khmer.'”

The Ministry of Environment shared alarming statistics revealing that over 400 million tons of plastic products are produced annually. Astonishingly, only 12% of this plastic is incinerated, and a mere 9% is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills or is released into the environment, including our oceans. Without immediate and sustainable measures, the volume of plastic entering aquatic ecosystems is projected to nearly triple from 11 million tons in 2016 to an estimated 29 million tons by 2040.

In response to this escalating crisis, the Cambodian government has established a significant partnership with Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This collaboration, titled “Strengthening Capacity to Handle Plastic Waste in Cities,” aims to tackle the growing challenge of plastic waste in urban areas. The partnership was formalised on 27 February 2025 and represents a vital step toward a cleaner future. (Read more)

The message is clear: it is time for all Cambodians to take responsibility for the planet and make a concerted effort to combat plastic pollution. The call for action comes not just from the throne, but from the hearts of every citizen dedicated to a sustainable Cambodia.

• environment