On the afternoon of February 22, 2024, His Excellency Dr. Keo Omaliss, Delegate of the Royal Government of Cambodia in charge of the Forestry Administration, and Dr. Nam Song Hee, Director of the International Affairs Office of the Korea Forest Service, co-chaired led the 8th Red Plus Project Management Committee meeting and the 2nd Project Trust Fund Management Committee meeting via virtual audio and video system, with the participation of leaders and officials from the Forestry Administration, Kampong Thom Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Korean Forest Service, and KMFCC Center, a total of 18 people. Dr. Chheang Dany chaired the meeting after Dr. Keo Omaliss left the meeting early as he had an urgent task assigned immediately by the minister.

This meeting has the following main objectives: 1) to present the progress of project implementation for 2023-2024, and 2) to discuss and approve the 2024 budget, action plan, plan for the second carbon credit verification, and 3) progress of the project’s carbon credit sales (2015-2019).

A Year of Concrete Achievements

2023 marked a productive year for the Tumring REDD+ Project. Notable outcomes included:

• 15,988 meters of boundary trenches dug along four community forest areas to prevent illegal encroachment.
• Over 688 patrols conducted by both community forest members and Forestry Administration law enforcement teams, resulting in the confiscation of illegal logging equipment, vehicles, and timber, and reclaiming 576 hectares of encroached forestland.
• Establishment and support of a community-based resin enterprise, along with expanded agricultural assistance to 185 households through the provision of rice and cassava varieties, fertilizers, and training.
• Ongoing protection of biodiversity, safeguarding 64 mammals, 103 bird, 49 reptile/amphibian, and 283 insect species.

These efforts were made possible through the effective use of the project’s Trust Fund, governed by an agreed-upon Standard Operating Procedure (TF-SOP).

Towards the Next Verification and More Carbon Credits

The TFMC discussed preparations for the project’s second carbon credit verification, which will follow Verra’s new consolidated methodology for Avoided Unplanned Deforestation (AUD). A third-party forest assessment is underway in Cambodia, and the Project Management Unit (PMU) is aiming to complete the process by late 2024 or early 2025.

One strategic decision was to use eight years of historical data to calculate emission reductions, potentially yielding 283,000 tCO₂/year, maximizing the project’s credit generation potential. The KFS emphasized the importance of technical collaboration and proactive monitoring to ensure timely issuance and benefit-sharing from upcoming carbon sales.

Budget Plan 2024 and Future Meetings

The 2024 Annual Work and Budget Plan was presented and approved. Expenditures will support core project strategies such as land tenure enforcement, forest protection, community livelihoods, and environmental education.

The TFMC also reviewed a draft audit report presented by Salomon Accounting & Consulting, with all parties agreeing to finalize and approve it after incorporating feedback.

The Next Meeting

Looking forward, the 9th Project Board Committee and the 3rd TFMC Meeting are scheduled to be held in Cambodia in early 2025, where stakeholders will review second verification outcomes and align next steps.

Stay tuned as this flagship project continues to drive impact for climate, communities, and biodiversity.

More information about 2023 Activities, please check out our 2023  Annual Report