FFI Cambodia staff honoured for conservation work

Fauna & Flora International (FFI) has been acknowledged by the Ministry of Information of the Kingdom of Cambodia, for its strong commitment to conservation and environmental protection.

Mr Tuy Sereivathana, FFI Country Representative and Mr Neang Thy, Project Manager of the Cambodian Elephant Conservation Group, have both been awarded Certificates of Appraisal by the Minister of Information, H.E Khieu Kanharith.

Vathana receives his award from the Minister. Credit: FFI

Five NGOs were announced as Certificate recipients during the Ministry’s annual conference and the launch of the Joint Prakas (regulation) on Public Services, with FFI receiving two.

During the Minister’s speech, he recognised FFI for its strong conservation efforts and support to the Royal Government of Cambodia in national development, with good research, results and collaboration in activities including elephant conservation.

“I was surprised to receive the certificate from the Minister, for research and new species discoveries, but am very happy our work is being recognised,” Neang Thy said of his award. The Minister described Thy’s work as not easy, but important to the country, and encouraged FFI to keep it up.

Neang Thy receiving his award. Credit: FFI

Tuy Sereivathana- a recipient of the prestigious Goldman Environmental prize, and a National Geographic (Emerging Explorer 2011) – was also grateful for the award. Vathana was praised for his excellent collaboration with the Ministry and history of active and immediate response to conservation issues to protect and conserve wildlife in Cambodia. “I can only hope these early successes for 2013 are indicative of another year of collaborative conservation in Cambodia,” Vathana said.

The Minister of Information’s appreciation was recently echoed by Cambodia Magazine (the magazine is under Ministry of Information) and the Minister of Tourism, in a conference in Kratie.