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The effects of climate change are becoming more evident as Cambodians, particularly rural communities, who face floods, droughts and water shortages on a regular basis, are often left without the ability to mitigate the impact.
Art Sothy, a member of the “Koh Tonla Kras” Community Protected Area in Krakor district, Pursat province, said when natural disasters occur, residents often receive no advance warning to help them protect themselves.
Similarly, fishery crimes and encroachment of flooded forests have to be tackled by community members in a bid to protect natural resources as they depend on them, she mentioned, adding that the responsibility falls on them due to lack of authority and mechanisms to ensure effective conservation.
“During the dry season, we face water shortages, while in the rainy season we face storms or heavy rainfall. We often don’t receive information in advance or the know-how to protect ourselves, leaving us vulnerable to danger and property damage,” Sothy said.
Hence her hope that the newly-launched Australia-Cambodia Partnership for Climate Resilience would improve the livelihood of her community, made up of people living along Tonle Sap, by responding to their needs and challenges, including having to request for clean water stations during the dry season.
The flagship initiative, known as the ACP4Climate, implemented by the Cambodian and Australian governments aims to strengthen climate-resilient water governance and support integrated water resource management in Cambodia.
“I hope the community will see an improvement, learn how to protect themselves during natural disasters and reduce the impacts of climate change in ways the community can manage,” Sothy said.
The ACP4Climate looks to help Cambodia build inclusive and climate-resilient water systems by enhancing climate-responsive water governance, support inclusive water management in key river basins and ensuring women, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples have a voice in water decision-making processes.
Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, said Australia is a longtime partner of the country, supporting sustainable development, economic growth and resilience. ACP4Climate represents the next chapter in the partnership, he added.
Cambodia is no exception to the vulnerability in climate change, Yip said, pointing out that the impacts are not limited to the environment but affects the economy, food systems, public health, education, and long-term development prospects.
“Through this initiative, we commit dedicated resources and capabilities to address the challenges of climate change. But, it would focus on the priority sector which will be identified by the government,” he remarked.
The initiative would see Australia improving coordination across institutions, and providing mitigation and adaptation solutions, and cleaner options in the upper and lower Mekong regions, and Tonle Sap Basin.
It would also support development of national water resource assessments, management strategies, and planning systems that could ensure long-term investment and assessment.
Importantly, Yip said, the requirement is not only about policy, but also partnership, as the program brings together expertise, industries, civil society organizations, research institutes, communities, and the private sector.
“It recognizes that climate mechanisms can only be achieved through collaboration,” he added.
Thor Chetha, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, said the initiative more than strengthens Cambodia’s capacity in managing water resources as it ensures coordination and inclusivity in climate resilience.
Water resources are central to the economy, food production and eco system, energy system, and the livelihood of millions of people.
But, challenges like flood, drought, and rising water demand are increasingly common. Water security is therefore a technical issue and also a foundation for economic resilience, food security and sustainable development, Chetha said, noting that the initiative is in line with the ministry’s climate resilience and water resources development roadmap 2025 to 2030.
He said the roadmap provides strategic direction for the government to enhance climate resilience, promote evidence-based decisions that align with the government’s long term development strategy.
“Climate resilience can’t be achieved by one institution alone, it requires strong coordination and partnership across all sectors. Through ACP4Climate, we aim to strengthen internal capacity including planning and coordination mechanisms to support integrated water resources management and improve more inclusive evident based decision-making,” Chetha said.
Mathhew Edwardsen, team leader of ACP4Climate, said the initiative builds on Australia and Cambodia’s long partnership, transforming shared priorities into activities.
His team would support the program by facilitating coordination with development partners, and ministries, such as the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Ministry, Rural Development Ministry, Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry, and the Environment Ministry.
“At the same time, ACP4Climate would demonstrate the scale of good practice for site-based learning, on water governance, and climate resilience, through our grand facility,” he said.
Long Piseth, principle project officer of Agriculture and Natural Resources under the Asian Development Bank (ADB), said the water governance via the resilient river basin roadmap, would strengthen cooperation across river basins. It would also share project information and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure long-term water security and climate resilience.
ADB is developing a national-level data center, which is set for completion in 2027, that would collect and distribute data to users.
“Overlapping investments remain a challenge that stakeholders need to review,” Piseth said, adding that tools, like the water resources governance roadmap, are needed to identify “who is doing what and where, in order to reduce duplication”.
