AKP Phnom Penh, July 10, 2026 —

Cambodian Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology H.E. Thor Chetha led a joint delegation with the World Bank on Friday to assess water security and biodiversity at the Tonle Sap Lake, a vital freshwater ecosystem facing growing environmental pressures.

The delegation, which included senior ministry officials and World Bank representatives, visited the stilt-house community of Kampong Phluk in Siem Reap province’s Prasat Bakong district, located roughly 31 kilometres from Siem Reap city.

The field visit is part of an ongoing collaboration between Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Authority and the World Bank to evaluate the Tonle Sap basin's status.

The joint assessment aims to deliver a strategic roadmap for the sustainable management of the lake, which is under threat from climate change and upstream dam developments.

Kampong Phluk, a commune spanning 6,030 hectares across three villages, is home to 1,106 families totaling 3,820 people.

Characterised by a distinct hydrological cycle of six dry months and six flooded months, residents live in wooden houses elevated 6 to 10 metres above the ground. The local economy relies heavily on the lake, with 65 percent of the population engaged in fishing and the remaining 35 percent working in community-based ecotourism.

During the visit, Minister H.E. Thor Chetha and the delegation travelled by boat to inspect the flooded forests and meet with local fishing communities to discuss their livelihoods, climate-related challenges, and water security issues.

According to the Ministry, the upcoming assessment report will provide crucial technical data to shape Cambodia’s long-term development policies. The initiative aligns with the Royal Government’s broader "Water for People, Water for Food, and Water for Earth" framework, which seeks to integrate comprehensive water security metrics into future infrastructure and conservation investment plans.

By K. Rithy Reak