Remarks by Richard Chen, Office Director, Sustainable Economic Growth Office, USAID/Cambodia, Social and Behavioral Change Communication Campaign on Reducing Demand of Luxury Wood Furniture

(as prepared for delivery)

It is my pleasure to join you all today to commemorate the launch of the Social and Behavioral Change Campaign under the theme “Reducing Demand of Luxury Wood Furniture.” Communication is about team work and the campaign is a collaboration between the USAID Cambodia Green Future Activity and the General Department of Environmental Education and Information of the Ministry of Environment. I would like to thank all of those whose efforts have brought us together today.

USAID has supported environmental conservation programs for more than a decade in Cambodia. We work closely with all stakeholders to help protect Cambodia’s natural heritage. As we all know, Cambodia’s forests are important assets that underpin sustainable economic growth, biodiversity, cultural heritage, and livelihoods. 

The demand for luxury timber is increasing both internationally and locally. Luxury timber is frequently converted into expensive and heavy furniture for the local market that has led to an increase of illegal logging in Cambodia. Reversing this dangerous trend is a priority for all of us and why we are gathered today.

USAID Cambodia Green Future project is proud to continue our support for sustainable forest management through a series of behavior change communication campaigns to increase knowledge about the benefits of forest protection and wildlife conservation in Cambodia.  The first campaign launching today focuses on “demand reduction of luxury wood furniture” and will motivate youth to encourage their peers, parents, and relatives not to buy furniture made from luxury timber. The second campaign will focus on reducing bushmeat consumption while the third campaign will encourage people to stop littering. Each campaign will help young people become “Green Champions” to model successful behaviors and practices around the protection of Cambodia’s natural resources. This will be done through high quality, multi-media content distributed through social media platforms.

Cambodian youth play important roles in promoting sustainable forest management, wildlife conservation, and environmental protection. Engaging their energy and motivation as young adults can create a groundswell of commitment to conserve the Kingdom’s nature and biodiversity.  The campaigns will provide youth with information, encouragement, and opportunities to encourage each other and all Cambodians to make informed decisions and take action to protect the environment for their good and for the good of future generations. 

This year, the U.S. Embassy is highlighting US-Cambodia relations through a campaign called AmCam21. During the current quarter we are focusing on the theme of peace and security. Protecting Cambodia’s incredible natural resources is a shared priority and one that speaks directly to these themes.

Taking the right actions today can lead to a positive impact on the future for Cambodia’s forests and wildlife. As the slogan for the campaign states “Keep the trees where they belong.”

Thank you to the American Chamber of Commerce and the companies who donated prizes and sponsorships for the competition to develop behavior change communication materials for this campaign.

I wish the Ministry of Environment, USAID Cambodia Green Future, and all stakeholders success in our combined efforts to better protect the forests, wildlife, and natural resources of the Cambodian people.

Thank you very much.