Cambodia: A Renewed Franco-European Drive to Guarantee Safe Drinking Water for All by 2030

In a context of rapid urban growth and increasing pressure on infrastructure, Cambodia once again benefits from the determined support of France and the European Union to modernize and structure the national drinking water sector.

The Minister of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation, H.E. Hem Vanndy, received in Phnom Penh a joint delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Union (EU). This meeting was part of the AFD's evaluation and supervision mission, aimed at reviewing recent successes and outlining new perspectives for sector reform.

Among the flagship projects monitored by the mission are the third phase of the Bakheng water supply project and the future program to extend Siem Reap’s water network. These strategic initiatives, supported by the Team Europe mechanism, aim to guarantee safe, regular, and equitable access to water for urban and peri-urban households — a crucial objective as national demand continues to rise.

"We cannot copy a foreign model but must design an approach adapted to our governance system and socio-economic realities," stated Minister Hem Vanndy.

According to him, clean water now represents a crucial lever for public health, productivity, and economic attractiveness. He also highlighted the establishment of a national strategic framework for drinking water, intended to support capacity building among public and private operators and to attract more investment in sustainable infrastructure.

On her side, Ms. Sandrine Boucher, country director of the AFD in Cambodia, reaffirmed the continuity of Franco-European cooperation:

“The AFD remains fully committed alongside the MISTI to advance the regulatory framework, engineer training, and financing of structuring projects throughout the country.”

Beyond infrastructure, support is also directed towards training. From September 2026, the AFD and the European Union will launch the European Global Gateway Scholarships program, which will enable a first cohort of thirty Cambodian professionals to study in Europe in fields related to water management and treatment.

A Major Economic and Social Engine for Cambodia

Massive investments in Cambodia’s drinking water sector generate significant economic benefits and create numerous employment opportunities. The Bakheng water supply project, for instance, supported by the AFD, the European Investment Bank, and the European Union, mobilizes more than 16,000 direct jobs during its implementation, mainly filled by skilled Cambodian workers. This project surpasses in size and impact all previous hydraulic infrastructure in Phnom Penh.

Moreover, these projects promote the development of a local industrial fabric around construction, maintenance, and hydraulic engineering trades, with targeted professional training to strengthen national skills. The European Global Gateway Scholarships program thus complements this dynamic by training the next generation of specialists.

The increase in drinking water production capacity, expected to reach one million cubic meters per day after the completion of the Bakheng project, directly improves the sanitary conditions and quality of life of hundreds of thousands of citizens.

This increased reliable water access also stimulates economic activity, particularly in industrial and commercial sectors, by limiting interruptions caused by water shortages and strengthening the country's competitiveness.

Finally, these public-private investments, coupled with an adapted regulatory framework, create a virtuous circle of attractiveness for investors — an essential condition for the sustainability and expansion of infrastructure. The drinking water sector thus establishes itself as a crucial lever for Cambodia’s inclusive and sustainable development, at the intersection of social, health, and economic issues.

This initiative illustrates the shared will to build solid national expertise, a requisite for sector durability.

By 2030, Cambodia aims to achieve universal access to drinking water, in line with Target 6.1 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The partnership between Phnom Penh, Paris, and Brussels thus stands as a pillar of development diplomacy, combining governance, innovation, and solidarity in the service of clean water for all.nt gouvernance, innovation et solidarité au service d’une eau propre pour tous.