AKP Phnom Penh, August 13, 2026 --

The Prek Toal Ramsar Site, situated within the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve in the Kingdom of Cambodia, has been officially nominated for designation as an ASEAN Heritage Park.

ASEAN Member States expressed their unanimous support for the candidacy during the 28th Governing Board Meeting of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and the 37th ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment Meeting, conducted virtually on Aug. 10-11, 2026.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Environment on Aug. 13, once officially approved by ASEAN Environment Ministers, the Battambang-based site will become Cambodia’s third ASEAN Heritage Park, joining Virachey National Park (Rattanakiri and Stung Treng) and Preah Monivong "Bokor" National Park (Kampot), both designated in 2003. This milestone highlights the country's ongoing dedication to environmental protection.

The Ministry of Environment is also evaluating the Cardamom Mountains National Park, a vital habitat for endangered species, for future nomination.

By Phal Sophanith