Synopsis: Government officials and technical experts evaluate river basin assessments to shape long-term flood resilience and reservoir investments.
Seasonal water shortages, irrigation challenges and recurring extreme weather have emerged as major concerns across 12 river basins surrounding Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake, prompting calls for improved infrastructure and resource management.
The concerns were raised during four consultation workshops organised by the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), across Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Battambang and Pursat provinces from October 28 to November 4.
Nearly 500 participants, including national and provincial officials, river basin committees, farmer communities, civil society groups and technical experts, gathered to review water resource assessments and identify development priorities.
The consultations form part of the Cambodia Resilient River Basin Masterplan Phase 1, running from last June to next June. Led by MOWRAM with ADB backing, the project aims to formulate long-term management and investment plans to meet future water demands and tackle climate risks.
Participants highlighted distribution difficulties in irrigation and the severe impact of floods and droughts on agricultural livelihoods. Proposed solutions include upgrading reservoirs and canals, improving maintenance and restoring river ecosystems.
MOWRAM Secretary of State An Pich Hatda said the sessions would establish a foundation for upcoming investment decisions.
“Managing water resources requires us to consider the needs of each river basin as a whole. The information and priorities shared during these workshops will help us develop practical plans that reflect local conditions and guide future investments to where they are most needed,” he said.
ADB country director for Cambodia Yasmin Siddiqi said that combining technical analysis with local knowledge will strengthen national resilience.
“Reliable water resources are essential for Cambodia’s communities and economic development, especially for agriculture, energy, industrialisation and liveable cities,” she said.
CRRBM team leader Simon Tilleard noted that local input will help refine technical assessments.
“The workshops helped us check our initial assessments against local experience, particularly on seasonal water shortages, irrigation systems and future water needs,” he said.
The proposals are preliminary and subject to further review. Four additional workshops are set for February 2027 to examine investment options, with final master plans due by mid-2027 to coordinate national planning capacity.
