Addressing Speech of H.E. Chan Sarun,
Minister of Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries
at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Forestry and Wildlife Training Center.

06 February 2003, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

(Unofficial translation)

Venerable Monks,
Your Highly Respectful, SAMDACH HUN SEN the Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cambodia,  and LOAK CHUMTEAV,
Yours Excellencies, Katsuhiro SHINOHARA, Minister Counselor of Embassy of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia,
Honorable National and International Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Compatriots,

I am, as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, proud of today ceremony, which we are holding inauguration ceremony under the presence of SAMDACH HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia, and LOAK CHUMTEAV, accompanied by H.E. Katsuhiro SHINOHARA, Minister Counselor of Embassy of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia; this output, the Forest and Wildlife Training Center, again, has shown the cooperation result between the Government of Japan and the Royal Government of Cambodia.

On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fishery, I profoundly appreciate all of your Excellencies, LOAK CHUMTEAV, National and International Guests, Government staff, and all of Cambodian citizen, who have spent valuable time to be here. Special gratitude to the Government of Japan through the presence of H.E. Katsuhiro SHINOHARA, that has assisted quantitatively and qualitatively the Royal Government of Cambodia to improve capacity building of staff of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife. This great attitude will constantly last. These partners are vitally important and unavoidable for developing the forestry and wildlife sectors in Cambodia. Also, I appreciate Toyo Construction for its effort to timely finish the duty.

SAMDACH Prime Minister and LOAK CHUMTEAV,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Forestry and Wildlife Training Center is playing an important role in human resource development within the framework of the Second mandate of the Royal Government of Cambodia's policy and forestry law. Under this human resource development framework, Cambodia can be built toward prosperity and development. Obviously, within a stage of new history, Cambodia is widely changed in all fields, especially agricultural sector. Approximately 80% of Cambodians are living in countryside and almost all of them depend on timber and non-timber forest products for daily subsistence. Therefore, to ensure the wise use of timber and non-timber forest product and sustainable management of forest resources, applying new technology and developing human resource are the most necessary for implementing the forestry law, the RGC's policy reform, and the policy of integrating Cambodian economy into the regional and world economy.

Strengthening the capacity of forestry administration staff is crucial for upgrade forest and wildlife sectors in Cambodia to be consistent with the development of region, and in the world accordingly. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries is establishing new-united forestry administration based on the new forestry law in order to meet technical management, circumstances, and social development. The Training Center is one of the major achievements that contribute to research and nature conservation's activities, especially, the balance of ecology and bio-diversity for next generation and also as a symbol of friendship between Cambodia and Japan.

SAMDACH Prime Minister and LOAK CHUMTEAV,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Forestry and Wildlife Training Center will provide know how to Cambodian people to wisely use of their natural resources in a sustainable manner. They will act as bees taking honey from flowers. The bees would never ever destroyed flowers or its fragrance but collect only flower juice for their honey; nevertheless, fishes and timbers will be never lost if we know how to use them.

On behalf of the MAFF and on my behalf, I would like to wish SAMDACH HUN SEN to be healthy, wise, and successful in leading the Royal Government of Cambodia toward peace, and social development; and also I would like to express my deep gratitude to SAMDACH for the successful forestry reform and the elimination of forest and wildlife anarchy. We are committed to continue to keep this prosperous history forever.

Once again, I would like to express my deep gratitude to donor countries, agencies especially to JICA for assistance in both financially and technically. Your assistance will encourage us to challenge all difficulty.

I would also like to wish all of your excellencies LOAK CHUMTEAV, NEAK OCKNHA, ladies and gentlemen, honorable national and international guests, local authorities, the committee to manage national and international ceremony, Japanese construction company, and to all Government staff healthy and successful.

Thank you for your kind attention!