Cambodia Launches National Workshop for Resilient River Basin Master Plan Project Phase 1 with ADB Support

On the morning of Friday, August 7, 2026, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, led by Minister H.E. Thor Cheath, presided over the opening of a national workshop on the launch of the Resilient River Basin Master Plan Project (CRRBM_Phase1) in Phnom Penh. Ms. Yasmin Siddiqi, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Cambodia, was also in attendance. The project is implemented under the Resilient River Basin Initiative with technical assistance from the ADB. It aims to conduct a long-term assessment of water security and river basin management, examining current and future challenges, identifying risks from climate change and natural disasters, and developing implementable programs and solutions. These solutions will focus on strengthening policies, frameworks, institutions, capacities, and infrastructure investments. Phase 1 of the project specifically targets a cluster of 11 main river basins (streams) flowing into Tonle Sap Lake. Minister Thor Cheath highlighted that the preparation of the river basin master plan provides an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the entire river basin, including its water resource potential, future demands, environmental aspects, and investment scale, before any decisions are made. He added that this project is a crucial step that will provide the government with a solid foundation for planning the management and investment strategies for each river basin in the future. In conclusion, the Minister encouraged all stakeholders to actively and openly participate in this process, share experiences, voice concerns, and engage in constructive dialogue to ensure the final master plan is robust, realistic, implementable, and truly responsive to Cambodia's priorities. Source: CPP Cambodia