Celebrating Leadership for a Greener Future

On World Environment Day 2026, we celebrate H.E. Dr. Chan Somaly, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Environment and an Australia Awards Scholarships alumna, for her outstanding leadership in environmental policy and biodiversity conservation.

 

With more than 25 years of experience in Cambodia and the Asia-Pacific region, H.E. Dr. Chan Somaly has played a leading role in national environmental policy and strategy development, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, protected area management, stakeholder engagement, and international cooperation. Her work extends beyond Cambodia. As a UN-CBD COP Bureau representative for the Asia-Pacific Region, representing 54 countries, she has chaired major regional and global negotiations and conferences on biodiversity and ecosystem services, significantly supporting regional cooperation and global environmental policy development.

 

Her work directly contributes to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and the well-being and livelihood enhancements of local communities, in particular. She believes environmental protection is essential not only for conserving nature, but also for ensuring long-term socio-economic benefits, resilience, and sustainable development for future generations.

 

As an alumna of Australia Awards Scholarships and Flinders University, where she completed a Master of Information Technology in 2004, she credits her Australian education with strengthening her critical thinking, analytical, problem-solving, technology application, and policy development skills.

 

“My Australian education has significantly contributed to both my professional and personal development, enabling me to better address complex environmental challenges and support policy development at national, regional, and global levels.”

On World Environment Day, she urges everyone to protect natural resources and the environment.

 

“Simple actions, such as reducing waste, protecting forests and biodiversity, planting trees, conserving water and energy, and supporting sustainable practices, can make a significant difference. Together, we can build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future while balancing environmental conservation, economic development, and human well-being,” she said.

 

We warmly congratulate H.E. Dr. Chan Somaly for her dedicated service, visionary leadership, and lasting contributions to Cambodia’s environmental sustainability and the global biodiversity agenda.