MIME and UNDP Forge Partnership for Responsible Mineral Development

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (19 January 2011)

The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) inked an agreement today forging ahead with their partnership to help develop Cambodia’s nascent mining sector.

H.E. Suy Sem, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, and Mr. Douglas Broderick, Resident Representative of UNDP Cambodia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on this cooperation at a ceremony held at the Ministry on Tuesday.

“The objective of this collaboration is to support Cambodia in pursuing a sustainable socio-economic development path through the strengthening of public sector management of Cambodia’s emerging mining sector,” H.E. Suy Sem said at the signing ceremony.

“The Royal Government of Cambodia is committed to continue with development of mining sector in a way that Cambodian people and communities realize the benefits, while harmful environmental impacts are mitigated.” he added.

The signing marked a new milestone in the MIME-UNDP relationship. In May 2010, the Ministry and UNDP jointly hosted Cambodia’s first International Mining Conference, “Staking a Claim for Cambodia”.  It is clear that Cambodia has valuable mineral resources, but hard work is required to turn those resources into the new wealth that will create opportunity and help reduce poverty.  The conference demonstrated that economic growth and successful mineral exploration go hand in hand with sound government policy, and environmentally and socially acceptable mining practices.

“UNDP believes that a mineral sector that is transparent, accountable and sustainable can ensure long-term benefit for the well-being of the Cambodian people. A responsible mining industry can contribute to lifting more Cambodians out of poverty and accelerating progress toward achieving the Cambodia Millennium Development Goals,” Mr. Douglas Broderick said. “We stand ready to work with MIME toward realizing these goals.”

Under the MOU, the two parties agree to cooperate in areas with focus on:

-          Responsible development of the mining sector for Cambodia’s economic and social development, and

-          support for development of policy and regulation needed to ensure effective and sustainable management of Cambodia’s mining industry, and capacity development of MIME’s General Department of Mineral Resource (GDMR).

By UNDP