On the 22nd of October 2023, the Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, H.E. Igor Driesmans, together with H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister for the Ministry of Environment led a group of 400 volunteers in a Mekong River clean-up and tree planting event in Phnom Penh, in collaboration with River Ocean Cleanup (ROC). The event was organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Cambodia as part of the EU Green Diplomacy Weeks 2023, celebrated all around ASEAN.

“Climate change poses global shared challenges that require strong cooperation of all stakeholders in all sectors to mitigate and adapt to its negative impacts. As one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change, Cambodia’s response to climate change is urgent to stop and reverse deforestation, combat plastic waste and promote green energy”, said the EU Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Igor Driesmans.

Over 400 people participated in the event, including representatives from the EU and its Member States, representatives of the Cambodian government, youth, and the public. The clean-up activity collected an estimated 300 kg of waste which were sent to Chip Mong Ensee for further processing.

From the 15th to the 22nd of October 2023, EU Delegations across ASEAN hosted a series of events to enliven the EU Green Diplomacy Week 2023, with the Mekong River clean-up and tree planting event serving as the closing of this year’s celebration.

In his opening remarks, the EU Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Igor Driesmans, also commended the commitment of the Kingdom of Cambodia towards climate policy to ensure a green economic growth model in harmony with the environment. “Green transition depends not just on the government but on all of us. It is our collective responsibility,” he said. “Only by working together and everyone doing their part can we achieve the goal of a greener future,” Ambassador Driesmans added.

First introduced to the public in 2019 as Climate Diplomacy Weeks, this initiative has become a landmark annual event where the EU Delegations and embassies of the EU Member States around the world host events to foster dialogue and cooperation on climate change. Re-named “Green Diplomacy Weeks” as of this year, the event still aims to serve as a platform showcasing success stories and inspire further actions.