Relevance of Proposal to the Needs and Constraints of the Target Countries: Problems to be Resolved and Needs to be Met
The target countries are Cambodia and Lao PDR.
The proposal specifically addresses key environmental and sustainable development needs and challenges identified in the Cambodia CSP (Country Strategy Paper) 2004-2006 , the EC-Cambodia NIP (National Indicative Programme) 2005-2006 and the Interim CEP (Country Environment Profile) summarised in Annex 8 to the EC-Cambodia NIP. In particular, the proposed human resource development objectives will enable better trained personnel to address explicitly stated concerns related to pesticide use, deforestation (and accompanying soil erosion, rice crop failure and silting of water courses), waste management and flooding. Since the introduction in 1993 of the first environmental legislation following the 1991 Paris Accord, the approach of the Cambodian Government has been to address environmental concerns from a cross-sectorial perspective. It is recognised that addressing environmental concerns simultaneously assists in addressing poverty and underdevelopment priorities identified in the Cambodia CSP.
Environmental protection is also a cross-cutting theme identified in the Lao CSP 2002-2006 and the EC-Lao PDR NIP 2002-2004, with particular recognition of the need for improved clean water access and that “improvement in environmental impact assessment procedures, supporting regulations and strengthening the capacity of national and provincial staff are essential”. The Government of Lao PDR education strategy includes as a focus “training skilled … professionals and intellectuals to have the capacity to apply modern science and technology to serve the needs of socio-economic development”
