H.E. Thor Chetha, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, and H.E. Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, co-chaired the National Consultation Workshop on Water Resources Governance with climate resilience in Cambodia on July, 17, 2025 in Phnom Penh.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, H.E. Thor Chetha highlighted the importance of water resources as the lifeblood of ecosystems, economies and daily lives.

The Minister said that the increasing of water demand, climate change, flooding and drought, are not only environmental concerns but also challenges to socio-economic development, food security and the well-being of citizens. The Minister stressed that this required the preparation of comprehensive strategies, master plans and water resources management to ensure sustainable water security.

The Minister gave six recommendations to the working group to prepare the Climate Change Resilient on Water Resources Governance Program to be comprehensive and responsive to the needs of water governance for Cambodia. The first was to start with government ownership; the second was to focus on governance first; the third was to be inclusive and consultative; the fourth was to continue to build on what has been established; the fifth was to act as a common umbrella for coordination; and the sixth was to have shared ownership.

The Climate Change Resilient on Water Resources Governance Program was initiated and implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology over a five-year period with support from the Australian Government.

The program aims to develop water strategies, master plans and comprehensive water resources management in a manner that is adaptive and responsive to climate risks.

By Sothea