12 June 2025: A two-day policy dialogue on “Enhancing Groundwater Governance for Climate Resilience in Cambodia” was held from 11–12 June 2025 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The event also marked the final dissemination and validation workshop of the Groundwater Management Framework for Cambodia, co-developed by the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) – Asia Center under the SUMERNET 4 All Programme. This initiative is part of the “Strengthening Groundwater Governance and Management in Cambodia” (GWAC) project, led by Principal Investigator Prof. Sangam Shrestha (Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, and Co-Director, Global Water and Sanitation Center) and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
The workshop was co-hosted by SUMERNET and the Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks (MTT) Network, in collaboration with the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS) of the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MoWRAM) of Cambodia. It brought together more than 80 participants from various line ministries and their departments, donor agencies, research and international institutions, media, and sectoral representatives to exchange knowledge and align efforts to improve groundwater management in Cambodia in the context of climate change.
The GWAC project builds on findings from the earlier SUMERNET-supported “Groundwater Governance in Rapidly Urbanizing Areas of the Lower Mekong Region (GIRA)” project, which identified critical capacity and governance gaps in Cambodia’s groundwater governance and management. In response, MoWRAM requested SEI and AIT to support the development of a preliminary national groundwater management framework. This workshop followed two prior consultation and dissemination workshops held under the GWAC project and aimed to validate the proposed framework and strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration.
The opening session featured remarks from Ms. Sibella Stern, First Secretary of the Australian Embassy in Thailand; Dr. Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa, Deputy Director of SEI-Asia and Program Director of SUMERNET and the MTT Network; and H.E. Dr. Oeung Chantha, Under Secretary of State at MoWRAM. Subsequent sessions included presentations from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC), MTT Fellow Ms. Sothearoth Chea, IUCN (Mr. Bob Bower), the Mekong River Commission (Mr. Sinxay Vongphachanh), and UNESCO-Cambodia (Mr. Sam Nissay), who shared key research findings related to groundwater in Cambodia.
Ms. Sibella Stern delivering her opening remarks
Dr. Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa delivering her opening remarks
H.E. Dr. Oeung Chantha delivering his opening remarks
A reflection session followed, with input from line ministries, government agencies, and community representatives. The session was facilitated by Dr. Mak Sithirith of the Centre for Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE), Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI).
Reflections from different representatives on strengthening groundwater governance and climate resilience in Cambodia
AIT played a central role in presenting the Groundwater Governance Framework. Dr. Thanapon Piman, Senior Research Fellow at SEI-Asia, and Mr. Tungish Uprety, Research Associate at AIT’s Global Water and Sanitation Center, jointly introduced the structure of the framework, outlined the roles of various stakeholders, and proposed implementation pathways. A discussion and validation session allowed participants to provide feedback and reflect on strengthening groundwater governance for climate resilience.
Dr. Thanapon Piman presenting the Groundwater Management Framework
Mr. Tungish Uprety presenting the way forward for groundwater management in Cambodia
The first day concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Raksa Pen, Vice Office Chief of DWSS, MoWRAM; Dr. Thanapon; and Dr. Chayanis. On the second day, participants visited a groundwater treatment project site at Mebon Primary School in Preah Dak Commune. The site, part of an MTT rapid response initiative, features a solar-powered groundwater treatment system aimed at addressing water scarcity and promoting community engagement for groundwater sustainability.
Closing remarks by Mr. Raksa Pen
This workshop reaffirmed AIT’s ongoing commitment to supporting sustainable groundwater management and climate resilience in the Lower Mekong Region. It also underscored the value of collaborative, policy-relevant research in shaping water governance strategies across the region.
