Resource information
This national Policy for the water sector in Cambodia sets out a vision, fundamental principles, current situation and policies regarding development and management of freshwater resources and water demand and supply in Cambodia. The Policy, however, also contains a Chapter on water-related hazards and one on the management of coastal and marine waters. It also states the importance of sanitation for all, addresses water pollution and international aspects of water. The general national water policy is: To protect, manage and use water resources with effective, equitable and sustainable manner; To foresee and take measures to assist related institutions to settle the facing problems which might be occurred in water sector; To develop and implement the national strategy and formulate the national policy and sector policies on water resources management; To direct the water resources development, management and utilization in the Kingdom of Cambodia to all activities of Institutions, private sector and public sector; To improve and uplift the people living to achieve the national policy on poverty reduction and sustainable national economy development.The Policy aims at providing access for all to safe, adequate, and affordable drinking water and hygiene services, to provide sufficient water for agriculture. industry and economic activities, tackle and minimize for all from the threat of loss of life and livelihood as a result of water-related hazards, and to manage water in such as way as to prevent and reduce water pollution. Principles that underlie the Policy include, among other things, the right to use water resources, alignment of water projects with the national water resources plan, the economic development plan and the national and regional environmental plans, and (environmentally) sustainable and effective management of water resources. Specific principles are set out for water resources management in general and specific policy measures are defined for river basin management, water in agriculture, water for energy, water for industry, small manufacturing enterprises and services, water for domestic use, water for navigation and tourism, equitable water sharing and allocation, mitigation of water-related disasters, data collection, forecasting and warning, maintenance, protection and sustainability of aquatic system, administration and institutional strengthening, financial aspects and international aspects of water and transboundary management of waters.The Royal Government of Cambodia shall the preparation of short- medium- and long-term development plans for river basins. As for agriculture, policies concern, among other things, strengthening and expanding farmer water user communities and minimizing the impact on the water resources caused by the uses of chemical substances in the agricultural production by encouraging the implementation diversified agriculture. As for the management of coastal and marine waters, policies are set out for the institutional and regulatory framework (including, among other things, community participation), strengthening of the knowledge base concerning coastal management, coastal zone management concern human activities, reduction of marine pollution and protection of coastal areas and ecosystems. Human activities include mangrove clearance for charcoal production, aquaculture, and land use change (forest exploitation, clearance for agriculture).The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) and other Royal Government of Cambodia institutions will be expected to include in their strategic and annual Plans the strategies and actions needed to ensure that they discharge their responsibilities with regard to the Policy. The MOWRAM will have particular responsibility for monitoring all activities related to the Nation's water resources and taking remedial action if activities do not achieve, or work against, the aims of the Policy.
