Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PHNOMPENH157
2009-03-11 02:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Phnom Penh
Cable title:
EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 - CAMBODIA
how-toVZCZCXRO5880 RR RUEHAST RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHNH RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHTM RUEHTRO DE RUEHPF #0157 0700238 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 110238Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0488 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000157
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/ETC--KANE, EAP/MLS
BANGKOK FOR REO--HHOWARD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TSPL TBIO EAGR ENRG ECON AMGT APER EPA CB
SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 - CAMBODIA
REF: STATE 10843
UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000157
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/ETC--KANE, EAP/MLS
BANGKOK FOR REO--HHOWARD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TSPL TBIO EAGR ENRG ECON AMGT APER EPA CB
SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 - CAMBODIA
REF: STATE 10843
1. In response to Reftel, Embassy Phnom Penh would like to submit a
request for an Embassy Science Fellow to help the Royal Government
of Cambodia (RGC) develop standard practices for evaluating
environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale
infrastructure projects. The Fellow would work with the Ministry of
Environment's (MOE's) EIA Department, and possibly with
environmental NGOs in Phnom Penh. The program timeframe is
flexible, but a two-month fellowship during Winter 2010 would be
preferable. Potential Fellows should have experience in drafting
and/or evaluating EIAs for large-scale infrastructure and investment
projects such as dams, bridges, urban development initiatives, or
plantation agriculture ventures. Experience evaluating projects in
tropical climates would be helpful but is not necessary.
2. PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION: Cambodia is rapidly developing, and land
in various parts of the country is under development by both the RGC
and private investors for an array of initiatives, ranging from
rubber plantations to hydropower dams and shopping malls. With this
growing level of development activity comes a growing threat to
Cambodia's natural resources from land-clearing, pollution, and
unsustainable business practices. According to Cambodian land and
environmental laws, public and private entities conducting
large-scale development projects are required to draft and submit
EIAs for the Ministry of Environment's approval. However, the EIA
Department at the Ministry of Environment is unequipped to manage
and effectively evaluate the flood of EIAs that are regularly
submitted for review. Based on requests from RGC officials,
including one of Cambodia's Deputy Prime Ministers, a Science Fellow
could make a valuable contribution to the Ministry of Environment
by:
-- Helping the EIA Department develop a standard
template for EIAs.
-- Training the department staff on basic EIA
evaluation topics, such as: 1) what questions
to ask; 2) what answers to accept; and 3) how to
make recommendations.
3. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT: Post will provide housing in central
Phnom Penh, likely a serviced apartment or hotel room, office space
at the embassy, and in-country travel and logistical support as
needed.
4. RSO CONCURRANCE: The RSO has cleared this proposal.
5. CONTACT INFORMATION: Post contact for this proposal is
Political/Economic Assistant Juhani Platt, plattjm@state.gov,
855-23-728-404.
RODLEY
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/ETC--KANE, EAP/MLS
BANGKOK FOR REO--HHOWARD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TSPL TBIO EAGR ENRG ECON AMGT APER EPA CB
SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 - CAMBODIA
REF: STATE 10843
1. In response to Reftel, Embassy Phnom Penh would like to submit a
request for an Embassy Science Fellow to help the Royal Government
of Cambodia (RGC) develop standard practices for evaluating
environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for large-scale
infrastructure projects. The Fellow would work with the Ministry of
Environment's (MOE's) EIA Department, and possibly with
environmental NGOs in Phnom Penh. The program timeframe is
flexible, but a two-month fellowship during Winter 2010 would be
preferable. Potential Fellows should have experience in drafting
and/or evaluating EIAs for large-scale infrastructure and investment
projects such as dams, bridges, urban development initiatives, or
plantation agriculture ventures. Experience evaluating projects in
tropical climates would be helpful but is not necessary.
2. PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION: Cambodia is rapidly developing, and land
in various parts of the country is under development by both the RGC
and private investors for an array of initiatives, ranging from
rubber plantations to hydropower dams and shopping malls. With this
growing level of development activity comes a growing threat to
Cambodia's natural resources from land-clearing, pollution, and
unsustainable business practices. According to Cambodian land and
environmental laws, public and private entities conducting
large-scale development projects are required to draft and submit
EIAs for the Ministry of Environment's approval. However, the EIA
Department at the Ministry of Environment is unequipped to manage
and effectively evaluate the flood of EIAs that are regularly
submitted for review. Based on requests from RGC officials,
including one of Cambodia's Deputy Prime Ministers, a Science Fellow
could make a valuable contribution to the Ministry of Environment
by:
-- Helping the EIA Department develop a standard
template for EIAs.
-- Training the department staff on basic EIA
evaluation topics, such as: 1) what questions
to ask; 2) what answers to accept; and 3) how to
make recommendations.
3. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT: Post will provide housing in central
Phnom Penh, likely a serviced apartment or hotel room, office space
at the embassy, and in-country travel and logistical support as
needed.
4. RSO CONCURRANCE: The RSO has cleared this proposal.
5. CONTACT INFORMATION: Post contact for this proposal is
Political/Economic Assistant Juhani Platt, plattjm@state.gov,
855-23-728-404.
RODLEY