Public works minister Sun Chanthol (right) and GGGI director-general Frank Rijsberman at the meeting on May 5. PUBLIC MINISTRY
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) has renewed its commitment to support the Cambodian government in the transition towards environmentally friendly, inclusive, sustainable economic growth through the Seoul-based organisation’s ongoing projects as well as green transport and waste management initiatives in its pipeline.
The announcement came during a May 5 meeting between a GGGI team led by director-general Frank Rijsberman, and Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol, his ministry said in a statement.
The meeting centred on previous cooperation arrangements between the ministry and GGGI, as well as future plans. The statement noted that Rijsberman made the case that the institute’s projects could decidedly improve health and hygiene conditions locally.
The GGGI recently completed a pre-feasibility study on the use of electric buses in Siem Reap town as public transport. Initial results have suggested that the project is practicable and would not present any significant issues, although additional studies are underway.
Stakeholders are apparently looking at the institute’s research methodology as a prospective model for future studies on similar project proposals in other urban areas.
The GGGI has also unveiled plans to introduce state-of-the-art waste management technology that could conceivably benefit thousands of households each day.
Chanthol thanked the GGGI for working with the government and its multi-faceted research into “green growth” strategies that could meaningfully stimulate the Cambodian economy. He expressed optimism and affirmed his support for the GGGI’s ongoing and future plans.
The GGGI is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organisation focused on fostering robust, inclusive, sustainable growth in developing and emerging economies.
The institute was formed based on the goodwill assumption that economic growth and environmental sustainability are not mutually exclusive, but that a combination of the two is essential for the future of humanity.
“Green growth” is defined as the process in which an economy grows and develops wherein supplies of resources and ecosystem services provided by natural assets that are key to overall wellbeing are sustainable and secure.
