CF Agreement Signing Cambodia: Lun Cham
Most of the audience at the 27 March 2009 CF Agreement signing ceremony in Kampong Thom, were community forest members. A spokesman for them, Lun Cham, made the following short speech.
Main Speech: Lun Cham (unofficial translation)
His Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.
This is a great pleasure and an important and unforgettable occasion for community forestry members which are now come to the stage of signing CF agreements.
On behalf of CFMC representative of all 32 CF sites who are presenting here, I would like to thank the government who provided support for the implementation of CF as this provides the greatest benefits to our national forestry sector.
The signing ceremony today is very meaningful to encourage local communities to be actively involved in the management of forest resources and to ensure the local rights of CF members under this important agreement.
To implement CF effectively and sustainably, on behalf of all CFMC and community forestry members, I would like to clearly state our following commitments:
- Respect and follow all relevant regulatory framework on CF in Cambodia;
- Manage, use, protect, conserve, and develop CF in a sustainable way;
- Follow the guidelines and technical advice by technical agents;
- Strengthen cooperation with local authorities and relevant organizations in the management and development of natural resources in the area effectively;
- Encourage active participation from all CF members;
- Use forest and NTFP-base on the potential of forestry resources in the CF area;
- Use forest and NTFPs traditionally for customary and traditional beliefs and livelihood; and
- Develop management plans with participation from other CF members.
Last, but not least, I would like to wish you prosperity, happiness, and long-life!