A guide for the Integrated Water Resources Management in Cambodia

The experience of the Stung Sen Basin marks a significant milestone in the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Cambodia. Since 2012, this pilot project has helped establish a local governance structure, including a Basin Committee supported by a technical secretariat and thematic working groups, a coordinated action plan, and concrete measures based on the priorities set by the committee for effective and sustainable basin development.

The publication “Integrated Water Resources Management in Cambodia – The Stung Sen Pilot Case”, the result of 10 years of cooperation between Cambodia and France, summarizes this experience and now serves as a practical guide for implementing IWRM in other river basins across the country.

 It highlights key lessons: the importance of a structured institutional framework, the need for reliable hydrological data, and the necessity of coordination between local and national initiatives.

Today, IWRM is expanding to other river basins in Cambodia. The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MoWRAM) is building on the achievements of the Stung Sen project to develop a comprehensive approach by strengthening governance and improving coordination at different levels of water management. The creation of a National Basin Committee and the development of national methodological guidelines aim to ensure a more harmonized and effective management of water resources throughout the country.

The objective is to coordinate the management of Cambodia’s river basins by defining a clear and coherent strategy, leveraging the successes and challenges encountered in the Stung Sen Basin. This guide thus becomes an essential tool for effective, sustainable, and well-coordinated IWRM implementation.

Authors : Agathe GUITTARD & Valérian GUILHEN, Project Manager, OiEau