Cambodia to boost oil spill response through environmental sensitivity mapping

Maritime stakeholders in Cambodia received key training in environmental sensibly mapping during a national workshop in Phnom Penh (2-4 December), as part of efforts to improve the country's oil spill emergency planning.

Environmental sensitivity mapping is essential to national oil spill contingency plans. It identifies and prioritizes vulnerable coastal and marine resources, enabling responders to make informed decisions about protection strategies and resource allocation during an oil spill emergency.

Thirty-four participants from Cambodian government agencies, the industry and other stakeholder organizations attended the event. They received training on environmental sensitivity mapping and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools for spill response. The workshop also provided guidance on acquiring and compiling Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps to support Cambodia's national oil spill contingency framework.

The initiative supports Cambodia's efforts to establish an ongoing programme for updated sensitivity mapping that will be accessible to all response stakeholders and to support finalization of the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, which is currently being developed.

The workshop took place under the framework of the GI SEA Project, which supports oil spill preparedness and response in in Southeast Asia, and was delivered through IMO's Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP).