Phnom penh: The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) and the Australian Embassy to Cambodia, through the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), are advancing their partnership on the Provincial Investment Plan (PIP) for the water supply sector. This collaboration aims to close the gap toward achieving universal clean water access by 2030.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, during an October 1 meeting with Minister of MISTI H.E. Hem Vanndy, Australian Ambassador H.E. Derek Yip praised Cambodia’s progress in this sector. However, he emphasized that sustained investment, coordinated planning, and climate-resilient policies are essential to reach universal access. Ambassador Yip reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to advancing financing solutions and fostering collaboration with water operators through CAPRED.
CAPRED introduced a PIP Information System during the meeting, which incorporates a geospatial project database and monitoring dashboard. This system provides a detailed analysis of investment needs, economic viability, and water security. The study pointed out key challenges, noting that extending coverage to the last unserved households will be considerably more expensive, and many water sources could face security risks by 2040 without climate-resilient planning.
Minister Hem Vanndy shared his insights and recommendations for the CAPRED technical team to finalise the system. He highlighted that MISTI is evaluating private water operators across the nation and has directed them to submit reports and investment plans to the ministry. He stressed the importance of operators prioritising efficiency improvements, reducing non-revenue water, and strengthening compliance with licensing requirements.
Through CAPRED’s technical assistance, MISTI officials will gain skills in managing and utilising the system. This tool will help identify financing gaps and guide policy, supporting stronger cases for larger investments in the water supply sector. The updated Provincial Investment Plan underscores the need for new approaches to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability. It includes targeted mechanisms to support investment in challenging areas and measures to balance cost recovery with household affordability.