Phnom Penh:The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) and the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) are set to host the Cambodia Water Governance Dialogue 2026 on Thursday, November 12, 2026, in Phnom Penh. The event aims to enhance water governance at the subnational level by aligning national water planning, river basin priorities, and sector development with local conditions and priorities.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Dialogue will gather around 200 participants, including officials from various levels of government, technical departments, and community institutions, as well as representatives from development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector. The event will focus on addressing the challenges faced by Cambodia's water resources, such as floods, droughts, and ecosystem degradation, and will emphasize the need for improved institutional collaboration.
H.E. Dr. An Pich Hatda, Secretary of State at MOWRAM, highlighted the importance of effective water governance supported by national policies and investments that reflect the realities of provinces and communities. The Dialogue will explore practical actions for sustainable water management and protection of livelihoods and ecosystems.
The event will feature keynote addresses on subnational water governance and social inclusion, as well as discussions on national water planning and development-partner investments. Afternoon sessions will focus on coordination between national and subnational institutions and draw lessons from community experiences in water governance.
Additionally, the Dialogue will serve as a consultation platform for the proposed Cambodia Water Week, envisioned as a national initiative for policy exchange and public engagement. CDRI Executive Director Dr. Eng Netra emphasized the Dialogue's role in connecting research, policy, and practical experiences to foster partnerships for effective policy implementation.
This Dialogue builds upon the foundations laid by last year's High-Level Policy Dialogue on Water Governance and represents a key activity under the MoU between MOWRAM and CDRI. The Australian Government, through various programs, is supporting the event.