Cambodia, Australia strengthen partnership on water supply investment plan

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct.02, 2025) — The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MISTI) and the Australian Embassy to Cambodia are advancing their partnership on the Provincial Investment Plan (PIP) for the water supply sector, aiming to close the gap toward universal clean water access by 2030.

The collaboration is supported through the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED), which introduced a new PIP Information System integrating geospatial data, investment analysis, and water security monitoring.

Australian Ambassador Derek Yip praised Cambodia’s progress and reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting financing solutions and collaboration with water operators. He emphasized that achieving universal access will require sustained investment, coordinated planning, and climate-resilient policies.

Minister Hem Vanndy shared recommendations to finalize the system, noting that MISTI has been assessing private water operators nationwide and instructed them to submit reports and investment plans. He urged operators to improve efficiency, reduce non-revenue water, and comply with licensing standards.

The study highlighted key challenges, including the high cost of reaching unserved households and potential water security risks by 2040 without climate-adaptive planning.

CAPRED’s technical assistance will support MISTI officials in using the system to identify financing gaps, guide policy, and strengthen investment proposals. The updated PIP also calls for new approaches to ensure long-term sustainability, including targeted support for underserved areas and balancing cost recovery with household affordability.