Cambodia Strengthens Inter-Ministerial Cooperation for Agriculture, Water, and Rural Development

Cambodia is strengthening inter-ministerial cooperation among the Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources and Meteorology, and Rural Development through regular ministerial-level meetings focused on rural development. On September 4, 2026, a Tri-Sector Ministerial Meeting, the seventh of its kind, was co-chaired by H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; H.E. Thor Chestr, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology; and H.E. Chai Rithisen, Minister of Rural Development. Held at the Ministry of Agriculture, the meeting focused on coordinating policy programs related to modern agricultural communities, water user communities, and model villages. Development partners, including the World Bank (WB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), participated in the meeting. The key objectives were: 1. To review the progress and achievements of the tri-sectoral work in target communities and set future directions for selecting additional communities. 2. To assess the progress in preparing the tri-sectoral strategy. H.E. Dith Tina praised the collaborative efforts in setting priorities and aligning common resources and means to achieve shared goals. These efforts aim to improve the livelihoods of local residents and generate economic benefits. He encouraged the continuation of this work to achieve further milestones and enhance cooperation with development partners. This tri-sectoral cooperation is a crucial pillar of Cambodia's national strategy for rural development, food security, and improving citizens' lives. Unlike economic cooperation with China, which is deepening, this initiative directly targets agriculture, water resources, and rural infrastructure development, reflecting a diversified approach to rural advancement with continued international partner engagement.