Background
The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology engaged with delegations from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to discuss the Integrated Water Resources Management Project (IWRMP) and its second phase (SIWRMP). The Integrated Water Resources Management Project (IWRMP) and its second phase (SIWRMP) are strategic initiatives scheduled for implementation from 2025 to 2032.
Both development banks are co-financiers of the programme and the projects’ geographic scope covers Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey and Pailin provinces. The ministry presented the projects as aligned with the Royal Government’s Pentagonal Strategy Phase I under the seventh mandate, with an emphasis on improving irrigation infrastructure and strengthening climate-resilient water management systems.
Key Developments
On 13 May 2026, Minister Thor Chetha received Ms. Yasmin Siddiqi, ADB Country Director for Cambodia, and a mission delegation from AIIB at the MOWRAM headquarters. The meeting covered project coordination, partnership arrangements and ongoing technical cooperation between MOWRAM, ADB and AIIB.
Institutional Role
MOWRAM functions as the primary government agency responsible for planning and overseeing irrigation and water resources management in Cambodia, including the coordination of donor-financed projects. ADB and AIIB are acting as external financiers and cooperating partners to support infrastructure upgrades and technical components within the IWRMP and SIWRMP.
Operational Implications
The projects will involve investments in irrigation systems and integrated water-resource management across multiple provinces, with implementation activities planned to run from 2025 through 2032. Provincial coverage and co-financing arrangements imply coordinated project management between national ministry units and donor project teams to deliver infrastructure and institutional capacity measures.
Source
Official announcement: MOWRAM Facebook post dated 13 May 2026 (source: MOWRAM Facebook).
