|
 Welcome Address by H.E. Chan Sarun,
Minister of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries On the Auspicious Occasion of the Opening Inauguration of the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute.
18 February 2003, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
(Unofficial Translation)
The Venerable Buddhist Monks;
Respectful, Samdech Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the First Lady;
Your Excellency-The Advisor to Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark;
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Beloved Students;
Today is a most auspicious day with proud and sentimental feelings, that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; has the great honor and pleasure to officially inaugurate the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute established with a generous grant from the Royal Danish Government through Mekong River Commission (MRC) fisheries program.
On behalf of all officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; other involved institutions; and myself; I would like to give heartfelt and appreciative praise for the presentation of Samdech Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of Royal Government of Cambodia and the First Lady on this specially auspicious occasion. At the same time, I would like to sincerely welcome with appreciation Your Excellency-The Advisor to Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark and the representative of the MRC, who always try to assist the Royal Government of Cambodia in restoring and strengthening the capacity of fisheries management, in order to develop this sector to be capable, productive and optimistic.
I would like to express sincerely thanks Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, national and International guests who are attending the special occasion of this launching.
Furthermore, we all are very proud of the fact that the construction of the institution has been completed on schedule.
Today the inauguration of the Freshwater Research and Development Institute in Phnom Penh; is a historical symbol and the result of fruitful, International cooperation between the Department of Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Mekong River Commission; concerning scientific and socio-economic fisheries research; to improve fish production to insure food security, and to provide extension programs to local Cambodians in conservation and protection of fisheries resources in a sustainable manner for the next generations.
Respectful, Samdech Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the First Lady!
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Cambodia previously had a Freshwater Fisheries Research Program within the Ministry of Agriculture compound and an Oceanographic Institute in Sihanoukville prior to the 1970s. However, the Khmer Rouge regime destroyed both institutions. The idea of establishment of the Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Institute was started in 1992 when a DANIDA mission of Denmark visited Cambodia to assess the status of fisheries. This mission found that freshwater fisheries in Cambodia is a vital element in food security and the livelihoods of Cambodians, especially those living in rural areas. Fish play a very important role as a food for our people. For sustaining these valuable resources, the establishment of the Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Institute, will be most valuable for conducting research on fish habitat, breeding and spawning grounds, migration paths for feeding, stock assessment, distribution, exportation, fish consumption, and management. It is especially important to understand fisheries resources, based on solid research, concerning their role in food security, economic development and improving living condition of local poor while sustaining the resources for the next generations.
This institution will have an important role for providing scientific information, and a base for biological research of fish and socio-economic research; in order to develop the best management strategies for improving local livelihoods and alleviating poverty of the rural Cambodians. In response to the strategic goal of the Cambodian government and consistent with the forestry sector, which based on three main objectives of the government and must be achieved by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, which include:
- Policy of fisheries management in a sustainable manner,
- Natural protection system for conservation of biodiversity and endangered species,
- Strong Community fisheries development program.
These outputs can be achieved based on good cooperation among involved institutions including the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, CNMC, MRC, International-level expertise, and especially the remarkable grant from the Royal Government of Denmark and counterpart fund of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
Once again, I would like to express sincere gratitude for the generous grant of the Royal Government of Denmark, as well as the CNMC, MRC, International experts, including all fisheries officers who have worked to insure success in accomplishing this project, the establishment of the Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Institute. This valuable achievement clearly displays the friendship between Cambodia and Denmark, which will never be broken.
Taking this opportunity and on behalf of all officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, I would like to wish to Samdech, beloved students, sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, with good health, being wise and successfulness in order to lead the country in peace and prosperity. Also, I wish that all Your Excellencies, the Advisor to Danish Ambassador and others; ladies and gentlemen, national and International guests are blessed with the five gems of Buddhist Blessing: Long-life, dignity, vigor, prosperity and happiness.
Thank you for your kind attention!
|
