Ministry calls for efforts to enhance water resources management
Ministry calls for efforts to enhance water resources management
Thor Chetha, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology (MoWRAM), Wednesday called for support and cooperation from relevant ministries and institutions to enhance water resource management, emphasising that its role extends beyond agricultural irrigation.
The request was made during the Annual Conference on 2024 Achievements and 2025 Action Plan of MoWRAM, the Cambodia National Mekong Committee (CNMC), and the Tonle Sap Authority (TSA) at the Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel & Residence on February 12.
In his opening remarks, Chetha said that under the wise leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, the Royal Government remains committed to the development of water resources and meteorology.
“The RGC commitment reflects in the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase One which prioritises five key areas such as people, roads, water, electricity and technology aimed at driving growth, job creation, equity, efficiency, and sustainability.”
The priorities serve as the foundation for Cambodia’s economic vision of becoming an upper middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050, he added.
Chetha, also the Chairman of CNMC and TSA, emphasised that the water resources sector is no longer limited to irrigating crops.
“Instead, it plays a vital role across multiple sectors, including environmental protection, industry, energy, transportation, tourism, rural development, aviation and disaster management.”
Given its broad impact, the Minister underscored the need for cooperation and support from relevant ministries and institutions to maximise its efficiency.
Chetha further said that the 2024-2028 Strategic Development Plan of the three ministries and institutions (MoWRAM, CNMC and TSA), outlines clear priorities, key activities, indicators and timelines for implementation.
“The plans also establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms based on the Key Achievement Framework while defining the responsibilities of each specialised department.”
This structured approach aimed to ensure the effective, efficient, and sustainable development, management, and conservation of water resources, he added.
It should be informed that on February 4, the Minister urged CNMC members and stakeholders to prioritise strengthening water resource management during a meeting to review the outcomes of 2024 and outline the implementation strategy for 2025.
He stressed that the Royal Government recognizes the strategic importance of water resources management and is committed to its improvement to secure a reliable and sustainable water supply for the nation.
Source :Khmer Times