By:
• Rin Ousa

• September 17, 2024 , 9:50 AM

PHNOM PENH— Environmental activists have lauded the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Cambodia and Laos, aimed at bolstering environmental cooperation and combating plastic pollution along the Mekong River. This significant agreement paves the way for joint efforts to safeguard the health of this vital waterway and establish broader frameworks for addressing environmental challenges and reducing plastic waste, they said.

On September 12 Cambodia and Laos signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen environmental cooperation and reduce plastic pollution along the Mekong River. The MoU was signed with Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Phouvong Luangxaysana at the Sixth Greater Mekong Subregion Environment Ministers’ Meeting (EMM-6), which Cambodia hosted.

Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth said the MoU aims to broaden efforts to reduce the use of plastic bags and achieve the goal of a plastic-free Mekong River. Sophalleth added that the agreement marks a significant and initial step toward the shared objectives of both countries. 

Khvay Atitya, spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, said with the newly signed agreement, the two countries will collaborate on developing a joint action plan to reduce plastic pollution along the Mekong River. 

“It is crucial to implement this reduction effort, as plastic pollution negatively impacts the quality of land, water, and air,” Atitya said. 

Commenting on the MoU, Sea Sophal, founder of NGO2 BambooShoot Foundation in Siem Reap Province, which works with local communities on cleaning plastics, said the cooperation would allow both countries to share case studies, foster understanding, and work together to improve the health of the Mekong River. 

Acknowledging that the Mekong River is a shared resource, Sophal said this cross-border collaboration would also enhance good images in the region. 

“The Mekong River flows through many countries before reaching Cambodia, and if the upstream countries do not address plastic pollution, the waste will ultimately flow into Cambodia. Thus, such cooperation on plastic reduction is crucial for Cambodia and the region,” Sophal said. 

Regarding stakeholders’ engagement, Sophal said that the ministry, civil society, and environmental activists have increasingly focused on plastic reduction efforts in different locations such as cities, provinces, rivers, schools, pagodas and other communities. 

In addition to plastic pollution, the MoU also aims to prevent environmental crimes, such as the cross-border destruction of natural resources.

Following the launch of the Circular Strategy on Environment under the three pillars: clean, green and sustainable in November 2023, Cambodia also initiated the first phase of a campaign to reduce plastic use with the slogan “Today I Don’t Use Plastics”.

Heng Kimhong, president of the Cambodian Youth Network Association, said that while the MoU is commendable, ensuring the sustainability of these efforts and expanding cooperation with other regional stakeholders would be crucial. 

“The countries dependent on the Mekong River should establish broader cooperation on environmental issues and plastic pollution reduction rather than limiting efforts to bilateral collaborations between Cambodia and Laos,” Kimhong said. 

He suggested that regional organizations such as the Mekong River Commission can do more to support states and ensure active collaboration among them in addressing plastic pollution in the river, which will significantly contribute to their economic activities. 

The Mekong River is one of the world's most vital transboundary rivers. According to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat, it provides abundant resources for over 70 million people and is home to over 1,100 fish species. However, increasing plastic pollution has raised concerns among the Mekong countries. The river transports approximately 40,000 into the ocean every year, generating detrimental impacts on biodiversity and the livelihood of the local people. 

In a 2022 report, MRC estimated that four countries in the Lower Mekong River Basin —Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia—had produced about 8 million tons of plastic waste, of which 70 percent to 90 percent were plastic bottles, plastic bags, and Styrofoam. It also called on the four countries to pass and enforce new rules and regulations to tackle plastic pollution.