​The Phnom Penh delegates chaired by Mrs. TOUCH Sarom, Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh had participated in the ASEAN Environment Sustainable Cities (ESC) 2011 Award in Bali, Indonesia from October 23-24, 2011.
The ASEAN Environment Ministers presented the prestigious ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC) Award to recognise exemplary initiatives to keep ASEAN cities clean, green, and livable even as they continue to grow as centers of economic and industrial activity. The ASEAN ESC Award serves as an added incentive for cities in ASEAN to promote environmentally sustainable practices, monitor and evaluate progress towards environmental sustainability in ASEAN cities, promote environmental education and awareness among city communities, encourage innovation and best practices, stimulate public participation in city programmes, recognise efforts towards improving sustainability, and to encourage partnership between public authorities, private sector and non-governmental organizations.
The Award Ceremony was graced by H.E. Dr Balthasar Kambuaya, Minister of Environment, Indonesia; H.E. Dato' Misran Karmain, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. It was attended by ASEAN senior environment officials, ASEAN city governors/mayors, and representatives from the nominated cities; for Phnom Penh, Mrs. TOUCH Sarom, Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh, the high representative of H.E Governor also partook in that significant event. Trophies and certificates were presented by Dr Kambuaya to the ASEAN City Mayors or their representatives as due recognition of their efforts and to encourage them to continue showing appreciation and care for the environment.
Recipients of the ASEAN ESC Awards 2011
1. National Housing Scheme Rimba, Brunei Darussalam
2. Phnom Penh, Cambodia
3. Surabaya, Indonesia
4. Xamneau, Lao PDR
5. Perbadanan Putrajaya, Malaysia
6. Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
7. Puerto Princesa, Philippines
8. South West CDC, Singapore
9. Phuket, Thailand
10. Danang, Viet Nam
Recipients of Certificates of Recognition
1. North Kuching City Hall, Malaysia: Clean Air for Small Cities
2. Kuantan Municipal Council, Malaysia: Clean Water for Small Cities
3. Phitsanulok, Thailand: Clean Land for Small Cities
4. Makassar, Indonesia: Clean Air for Big Cities
5. Banjarmasin, Indonesia: Clean Water for Big Cities
6. Palembang, Indonesia: Clean Land for Big Cities
This global recognition clearly showed the positive results from the rapid development which Board of Governors of Phnom Penh, officers and citizens had been involved to better the image of this City as called "City of Charm".