On 12 November 2026, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM) and the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) co-organised the Cambodia Water Governance Dialogue 2026 under the theme “Strengthening Subnational Water Governance” at the Sun & Moon Hotel in Phnom Penh. The event was presided over by H.E. Thor Chetha, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, with the participation of H.E. Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, and Dr Eng Netra, Executive Director of CDRI.

Over 200 distinguished guests attended the event from relevant ministries and departments, provincial administrations, River Basin Committees, Farmer Water User Communities, development partners, civil society, researchers, and the private sector.

The dialogue focused on how to better link national water policies, plans, and investments with local needs, strengthen coordination and accountability, and make water governance more inclusive and climate-resilient. It also held a public consultation on the proposed “Cambodia Water Week,” planned for November 2027.

It is worth noting that this dialogue is part of the action plan under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology and the Cambodia Development Resource Institute, which was signed on 20 July 2026.

The Dialogue is supported by the Australian Government through Ponlok Chomnes II: Data and Dialogue for Development in Cambodia programme and implemented by The Asia Foundation, the Australia Cambodia Partnership for Climate Resilience, and Oxfam.