(Phnom Penh): The Agreement signed between The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA), and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) is a milestone for the implementation of the EU grant component of the Bakheng Water Supply Project. The project is one the largest initiatives in Cambodia's history of clean water infrastructure development. This agreement establishes a cooperation framework among the three implementing agencies with the shared objective of providing quality, inclusive, sustainable, and efficient water services to citizens. The 10.9 million euros initiative is supported by a grant awarded by the European Union (EU) to the Royal Government of Cambodia under a Grant Financing Agreement signed on 18 December 2024 between the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).

“It is a great honour for ITC to host this event. Through our longstanding partnership with France and EU, many students have been given opportunities to fulfil their dream of pursuing higher education in Europe. We firmly believe that upon their return, they will contribute valuable skills and knowledge to advancing sustainable water services in Cambodia,” said Po Kimtho, Director General of ITC during the ceremony.

“This center will serve not only PPWSA staff but also other water utilities across Cambodia, offering them opportunities to build capacity and enhance expertise. It shall be highlight that the cost of implementation is one condition, but the source of funding mechanism in order to ensure the sustainability of operating the National Training Center is one of the key points to be considered,” said Long Naro, Delegation of Royal Government of Cambodia in charge of Director General of PPWSA.

“Today marks another significant step forward in our shared commitment to ensuring safe, clean, and sustainable water supply for our people. The agreement that we are signing today reflects the strong partnership between the Government and development partners. It demonstrates our collective dedication to improve water supply sector through effective collaboration, transparency, and accountability,” said Houl Bonnarith, Under Secretary of State of MISTI.

Through this grant, by the end of 2031, an estimated additional 10,000 marginalized families will gain access to safe and affordable water supply. In parallel, a National Training Center will be constructed to support the capacities of water operators in Cambodia. PPWSA officials will benefit from technical training, while at least 30 scholarships will be awarded to government officials and students to pursue advanced degrees in water-related fields at European universities, contributing to the professionalization of future water operators. At the same time, water sector reform and policy dialogue will serve as a key instrument to support decision-makers in shaping the strategies to achieve Cambodia’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 (CSDG-6) on clean water and sanitation, and to create an enabling environment for sector investment and leveraging.

The signing ceremony were attended by Houl Bonnarith, Under Secretary of State of MISTI, HE. LONG Naro, Delegation of Royal Government of Cambodia in charge of Director General of PPWSA, Po Kimtho, Director General of ITC, Laurent Raspaud, Deputy Country Director of AFD in Cambodia, Bryan FORNARI, Head of Cooperation of EUD, and witnessed by representatives from MEF, MoEYS, MoFA, CDC and students.

“If successfully financing and implementing an investment program is always tricky, financing and implementing capacity development is double the challenge. In the past years the support from our colleagues from the European Union has been decisive for that,” said AFD Deputy Country Director, Laurent Raspaud.

“The European Union is proud to invest in the youth, whose skills, knowledge, and leadership will shape Cambodia’s water sector for years to come. Through these opportunities, future engineers, researchers, and policy experts will gain advanced training abroad and return with the expertise to strengthen national institutions and provide innovative solutions for Cambodia’s growing needs.” said Head of Cooperation of EUD, Bryan Fornari.
As part of its partnership with Cambodia, France and EU plays a key role in supporting equitable access to water for all, while promoting the sustainable management of water resources, in full alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
=FRESH NEWS