Phnom Penh: Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology H.E. Thor Chetha recently engaged in a constructive dialogue with delegations from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to explore avenues for cooperation in water resource management.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the meeting took place as part of a courtesy call from the delegations, with the ADB mission team led by Mr. Ryutaro Takaku and the AIIB team headed by Mr. Ronald Muana. The ADB and AIIB are on a mission in Cambodia from February 3 to 17, aiming to launch the Integrated Water Resources Management Project (IWRMP). This initiative is set to commence this month, targeting two key irrigation system areas-Kbal Hong in Pursat province and Kanghot in Battambang province.

During the meeting, H.E. Minister Chetha expressed gratitude towards ADB and AIIB for their contributions to Cambodia’s socio-economic development. He highlighted the importance of their cooperation in modernising infrastructure engineering, especially in the context of climate change and global warming. This collaboration aligns with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy, Phase 1.

H.E. Thor Chetha conveyed confidence in the continued support and partnership with ADB and AIIB, emphasizing their role in Cambodia’s development across various sectors. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to enhancing and expanding cooperation for more effective, sustainable, and inclusive management of water resources, contributing to the sustainable development and socio-economic growth of the country.