Relevant ministries

Government representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam discuss Strengthening EIA Policy and Practice in The Mekong Region: Implications for Investment and Sustainable Development. Photo by Open Development Mekong, taken on 25 August 2015.

Under the 1996 Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) is the main authority mandated to oversee environmental issues, including protected areas, environmental impact assessments and management of natural resources.¹

Among its roles, MoE is responsible for developing national and regional environmental management plans in order to identify key environmental challenges and the means to address them.² Before issuing any decision or undertaking any activities related to the preservation, development, management or use of natural resources, concerned ministries must consult with the MoE.³ The MoE also has a monitoring, record keeping and inspection role, and its officers have the right to enter areas to inspect possible cases of environmental pollution.⁴ The MoE is also a focal point for climate change and biodiversity conventions. 

As environment and natural resources management are a cross-sectoral issue, other institutions also play a role in environmental protection.

• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF): Its jurisdiction includes agriculture, forestry, fisheries and granting ELC projects.⁵ In addition, MAFF is a focal point of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).  
  • Forest Administration (FA): administers forest and wildlife inventory; protection and management of forest resources, and wildlife conservation.
  • Fisheries Administration (FiA): manages the inland and marine fisheries and aquaculture.

• Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME): mining, energy, oil and gas are primarily under the authority of MME. MME is mandated to develop and manage energy policy, strategy and planning. This ministry is responsible for granting mining licenses and monitoring the activities of mining companies.⁶ 

• Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM): MOWRAM has jurisdiction over water-related activities. It is responsible for the development and implementation of water resource strategy. It is also in charge of meteorological data management and oversees flood and drought management. In addition, MOWRAM is responsible for granting licenses or approval on sand dredging projects as well as constructing bridges over rivers and port construction projects. 
• Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC): this is a government one-stop service agency for rehabilitation, development, and investment activities. CDC is responsible for granting approval for all large-scale private developments, and it facilitates and coordinates government-donor relations.

 Last updated: 30 September 2015

Related to relevant ministries

• Environment and natural resources policy and administration
• Overview of policy and legal framework
• Environmental impact assessments