Cambodia pledges green initiatives during SEA Games to fight climate change

The dry and hazy conditions are also a concern among athletes and sport officials as these factors may disrupt their goals to achieve sporting excellence in the regional Games.

Malaysia's Chef de Mission, Nasir Ali said his athletes have been advised repeatedly to take precautions to stay healthy.

He was quoted by Malaysian media organisation, New Straits Times, as saying: "We don't want the heat and extreme conditions here to affect our athletes. We want them to be able to give their best."

The US Agency for International Development considers Southeast Asia as one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, highlighting rising sea levels, heat waves and increasingly intense and unpredictable weather events.

The organisers of the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games acknowledges that environmental issues continue to be a major concern for many, including Cambodians.

To this effect, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia is now an official signatory of the United Nations Sport for Climate Action initiative.

Both the 32nd SEA Games and the 12th Asean Para Games will see green initiatives adopted by the Cambodia SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC).

Through these initiatives, CAMSOC hopes to inspire fans, communities and other stakeholders to take action on climate change.

As a Sport for Climate Action signatory, the SEA Games will also be part of the Race to Zero global campaign to rally support from businesses, cities, regions and investors for a healthy, resilient, zero-carbon recovery that prevents future threats, and create decent jobs that unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.

The commitment by the host nation to be part of the United Nations (UN) Sport for Climate Action is in line with the Cambodia 2023 SEA Games motto - Sports: Live In Peace.

The initiatives hope to be the conduit in ensuring that Cambodians and the Southeast Asian community continue to live in harmony. By organising the SEA Games in a sustainable way, this will ensure that every Southeast Asian citizen will part his or her part to ensure the environment is enjoyed by future generations.

Source: New Straits Times and Cambodia 2023