Cambodia and UN Agency Forge Agreement to Enhance Water Supply Cooperation
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Phnom Penh, Dec 19 (NationPress) The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) of Cambodia has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to enhance sustainable access to water and develop climate-resilient infrastructure across the nation, as per a press release from MISTI on Thursday.
The signing took place in the capital city of Phnom Penh on Tuesday, with MISTI's Minister Hem Vanndy and UNOPS Country Manager Eda Kraja representing their respective organizations, as reported in the press release.
“Access to clean water is not only a fundamental human right but also crucial for public health, economic development, and environmental sustainability,” stated Vanndy.
“This partnership exemplifies how targeted investments can lead to significant changes, particularly for vulnerable populations,” he added.
Kraja remarked that this initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on Clean Water and Sanitation, according to Xinhua news agency.
“The collaboration aims to implement innovative and scalable solutions to enhance water accessibility and reinforce infrastructure against climate change impacts,” she explained.
The MoU solidifies joint initiatives to plan, design, and execute projects that improve water supply systems while ensuring long-term sustainability and inclusiveness, as indicated in the press release.
Earlier this month, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved two projects totaling $173 million in loans and grants to promote climate-adaptive water resources management in Cambodia.
The first project involves $88 million for the Integrated Water Resources Management Project, which focuses on river basins in the Battambang and Pursat provinces within the Tonle Sap basin.
The second project allocates an additional $85 million for the ongoing Irrigated Agriculture Improvement Project, assisting the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology in enhancing water delivery efficiency and climate resilience across four irrigation systems located in Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, and Takeo provinces.
Recurring floods during the wet season impact four million individuals, approximately one-fourth of the population, with annual losses estimated at $250 million, exceeding one percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
