Hun Sen Urges Authorities to Strengthen Forest Protection and Natural Resource Conservation
Former Cambodian Prime Minister (now Senate President) Samdech Techo Hun Sen urged authorities in four provinces – Kratie, Stung Treng, Kampong Thom, and Preah Vihear – to strengthen efforts against forest destruction and natural resource crimes, particularly in the Preah Lang forest. He also emphasized care for veterans and educators, swift resolution of land disputes, and maintaining social order.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate, has urged authorities at all levels in Kratie, Stung Treng, Kampong Thom, and Preah Vihear provinces to strengthen the protection, conservation, and prevention of all natural resource crimes, with a special focus on the Preah Lang protected forest area, and to collectively preserve natural resources for perpetuity. The appeal was made during a meeting with provincial council members and heads of various departments in Kratie province on July 6, 2026. During the meeting, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his pleasure at meeting the leaders and officials of Kratie province again. He commended and highly valued the efforts of the provincial leadership, civil servants, and local working groups of Kratie province. He reminded all civil servants, especially commune/sangkat council members, to continue diligently fulfilling their duties to serve the nation and the people, particularly by providing necessary and essential services to citizens quickly, promptly, and effectively. Samdech Techo also instructed local authorities to pay close attention to the well-being of the families of soldiers currently defending the country, the families of fallen heroes, and veterans. He highlighted the immense heroism and contributions of these soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation, emphasizing that their contributions should be reciprocated by taking care of their families' livelihoods so they do not have to worry. During the meeting, Samdech Techo clarified that retired teachers and education officials are not under the management of the Veterans and Retirees Association, as teachers have their own association. He also instructed all levels of authorities to continue paying attention to veterans and retirees, recognizing their significant contributions to national development. Samdech Techo urged authorities to care for them by visiting them and organizing various programs to prevent them from feeling isolated. Samdech Techo, the Senate President, also advised authorities to prioritize the swift and effective resolution of land disputes for citizens, especially through out-of-court settlements, without bias towards any party. He reminded all officials to continue maintaining national stability and paying attention to preserving social order and security by continuing to implement the 'Safe Village-Commune' policy, which includes cracking down on various crimes such as theft, robbery, drug trafficking, and technological offenses. According to a report by H.E. Vath Than, Governor of Kratie Province, Kratie province is located in the northeastern plateau, 340 kilometers from Phnom Penh via National Road 7 through Snoul district, 250 kilometers via National Road 73 through Chhloung district, and 220 kilometers via the Mekong River waterway. Kratie province borders Tbong Khmum province to the south, Stung Treng province to the north, Mondulkiri province and Vietnam to the east, and Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom provinces to the west. Kratie province is known for its agricultural and agro-industrial cultivation, as well as natural areas that have been developed into tourist resorts. Regarding infrastructure, H.E. the Provincial Governor further stated that this year, the people of Kratie province are celebrating the achievement of the Cambodia-China Mekong-Kratie Friendship Bridge, a valuable legacy of Samdech Techo and continuing to the current Prime Minister. This includes connecting roads to serve transportation and the economy within Kratie province and towards other provinces. It should be noted that this is the 16th mission and the 19th province/city visited by Samdech Techo in his meetings with leaders, officials, and various ministries and institutions across the country. The objective of these meetings is to implement and strengthen accountability between the Senate and the electorate, ensuring transparency and promoting greater efficiency in local work. Furthermore, it aims to foster closer relationships with local authorities and to remind local officials to enhance their attention to their duties and the provision of public services to the people. By: Chim Nary © All rights reserved by National News Agency of Cambodia 2018
多角的分析
フン・セン元首相の天然資源保護への呼びかけは、カンボジア経済の持続可能性と直結している。特にプレア・ラン森林保護区は、生物多様性の宝庫であると同時に、違法伐採や鉱物資源の不正採掘といった経済的機会損失の温床ともなりうる。これらの活動を抑制することは、長期的な経済基盤の強化、そしてエコツーリズムなどの新たな産業育成の土台となる。一方で、これらの地域での経済活動の制限は、短期的に地域住民の生計に影響を与える可能性もあり、代替収入源の確保といった経済政策との連携が不可欠である。
天然資源の保護強化は、投資家にとってリスクと機会の両面をもたらす。違法行為の抑制は、法規制の遵守を求める投資家にとって、より予測可能で安定した事業環境を意味する。特に、環境・社会・ガバナンス（ESG）を重視する投資家にとって、森林保護への取り組みはポジティブなシグナルとなる。しかし、資源開発や関連産業への投資を検討している投資家にとっては、規制強化が事業機会を制限する可能性もある。投資判断においては、政府の具体的な enforcement（執行）体制と、地域経済への配慮のバランスが鍵となるだろう。
フン・セン元首相の指示は、地域住民の生活と密接に関わる。プレア・ラン森林保護区周辺のコミュニティは、伝統的に森林資源に依存して生活している場合が多い。違法伐採の取り締まり強化は、これらのコミュニティの生計手段に直接影響を与えうるため、代替収入源の提供や、森林管理へのコミュニティ参加を促す仕組みが不可欠である。また、退役軍人やその家族、退職した教師や教育関係者への配慮は、社会的な安定と連帯感を醸成する上で重要であり、政府の福祉政策の実行力が問われる。
国民への真の影響は、まず環境保護の強化が、将来世代にわたって清浄な水や空気、そして豊かな自然環境を享受できる可能性を高める点にある。しかし、同時に、森林資源への依存度が高い地域住民にとっては、違法伐採の取り締まり強化が直接的な収入源の減少につながる懸念がある。政府が代替となる雇用機会や、持続可能な森林利用方法を提示できるかが、国民の生活の質に大きく影響するだろう。また、土地紛争の迅速な解決は、多くの国民が抱える切実な問題であり、公平な解決が期待される。
背景・歴史的文脈
カンボジアでは、経済発展と並行して森林破壊が深刻な問題となってきた。特に、違法伐採や土地転用は、過去数十年にわたり、持続可能な開発を阻む要因とされてきた。プレア・ラン森林保護区は、その豊かな生物多様性から、保護の必要性が国際的にも指摘されている地域である。フン・セン元首相（当時首相）は、長年にわたり開発と環境保護のバランスを模索してきたが、経済成長を優先する政策との間で、しばしば批判にさらされてきた。今回の発言は、退任後も影響力を持つ立場から、環境保全への関与を改めて示すものと言える。
原文ソース
AKP Khmer