Our Work

The Cambodia National Mekong Committee coordinates Cambodia’s participation in Mekong cooperation and supports national efforts related to the management, protection, conservation, and development of water and related resources in the Mekong River Basin.

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Our Work

Overview

CNMC works with member ministries and institutions, the Mekong River Commission, other MRC member states, development partners, civil society organizations, researchers, communities, and other stakeholders. Its work helps connect Cambodia’s national priorities with regional cooperation under the 1995 Mekong Agreement.

CNMC does not replace the mandates of specialized ministries and agencies. Instead, it provides a national coordination platform to support policy dialogue, technical exchange, data and information sharing, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, project coordination, development partner cooperation, and follow-up on MRC strategies, procedures, studies, programs, and activities.

Main Areas of Work

I. MRC Agreement and Procedures

CNMC coordinates Cambodia's participation in the implementation of the 1995 Mekong Agreement and the five MRC Procedures. These procedures provide practical mechanisms for cooperation among the MRC member states.

The five MRC Procedures are:

Procedures for Data and Information Exchange and Sharing
Procedures for Water Use Monitoring
Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement
Procedures for Maintenance of Flows on the Mainstream
Procedures of Water Quality

Through these procedures, CNMC works with relevant ministries and institutions to support data exchange, water use monitoring, prior consultation processes, flow-related cooperation, water quality coordination, and Cambodia’s participation in regional dialogue.

View MRC Procedure

II. Basin Planning and Sustainable Development

CNMC supports Cambodia’s participation in basin planning and sustainable development processes under the MRC framework. This includes coordination related to the Basin Development Strategy, MRC Strategic Plan, National Indicative Plans, sector strategies, development scenarios, technical assessments, and regional studies.

This work helps Cambodia engage in discussions on the long-term management and development of the Mekong River Basin, while ensuring that national priorities, development needs, environmental concerns, and social considerations are reflected in regional planning.

CNMC also supports national consultations and follow-up related to major MRC studies, assessments, and planning processes, including basin-wide and transboundary studies that inform decision-making.

III. Flood, Drought and Climate Resilience

Floods, droughts, and climate change are among the major water-related challenges facing Cambodia. CNMC supports coordination with relevant national agencies and the MRC to improve flood forecasting, drought monitoring, early warning, data sharing, climate adaptation, and disaster preparedness.

This work helps strengthen Cambodia’s ability to understand and respond to changing hydrological conditions, especially in riverine and floodplain communities along the Mekong and Tonle Sap systems.

CNMC also contributes to regional cooperation on climate resilience by supporting technical exchange, knowledge sharing, and coordination on measures that help communities and institutions prepare for water-related risks.

IV. Fisheries, Environment, Ecology and Water Quality

The Mekong and Tonle Sap systems are central to Cambodia’s fisheries, biodiversity, wetlands, ecosystems, and food security. CNMC supports coordination related to fisheries, aquatic ecology, environmental monitoring, sediment, water quality, biodiversity, ecosystem health, and the sustainable management of natural resources.

This work is carried out in cooperation with relevant ministries and technical agencies, and through regional MRC programs, studies, and monitoring systems.

By supporting knowledge sharing and technical coordination in these areas, CNMC helps ensure that Cambodia’s environmental and ecological interests are considered in Mekong cooperation.

V. Data, Information, Knowledge and Technical Tools

CNMC supports the sharing and use of Mekong-related data, information, knowledge products, technical studies, modelling tools, GIS, monitoring results, research findings, and technical guidelines.

This area is broader than data exchange under the MRC Procedures. It includes the use of knowledge and technical evidence to support planning, forecasting, monitoring, decision-making, public awareness, and cooperation among national and regional institutions.

CNMC also helps promote better access to Mekong-related information and supports the dissemination of knowledge products to relevant ministries, institutions, stakeholders, and the public.

VI. Water-Related Sector Coordination

Many development sectors depend on the Mekong River Basin, including agriculture, irrigation, navigation, hydropower, transport, tourism, rural development, land use, and infrastructure. CNMC supports coordination among relevant ministries and institutions on water-related sector issues discussed under the MRC framework.

This coordination helps Cambodia participate in regional dialogue and technical processes on development opportunities, potential impacts, shared risks, and sustainable use of water and related resources.

CNMC’s role is to connect sectoral inputs, support inter-ministerial coordination, and help ensure that Cambodia’s technical and policy positions are prepared through appropriate national processes.

VII. Stakeholder Engagement, Capacity Building and Partnerships

CNMC supports stakeholder engagement and public participation in Mekong-related processes. This includes national consultations, technical meetings, workshops, awareness raising, public information, communication activities, and dialogue with ministries, sub-national authorities, communities, civil society organizations, researchers, development partners, and other stakeholders.

CNMC also supports capacity building for national officials, technical agencies, and relevant stakeholders involved in Mekong cooperation. This includes training, technical exchange, regional learning, workshops, study visits, and participation in MRC programs and professional development opportunities.

Partnership is central to CNMC’s work. CNMC coordinates with the MRC, development partners, regional organizations, international institutions, and national stakeholders to support projects, programs, technical studies, institutional strengthening, and knowledge sharing.

Monitoring, Follow-Up and Coordination

Across all areas of work, CNMC supports monitoring, reporting, and follow-up on MRC strategies, annual work plans, procedures, programs, technical activities, studies, and projects. It works with member ministries and institutions to gather inputs, coordinate national positions, support implementation, and communicate Cambodia’s views through appropriate regional channels.

100+

PROJECTS MONITORED

25+

STRATEGIC PARTNER

Working Through Partnership

CNMC’s work depends on cooperation. By bringing together national institutions, regional partners, technical experts, communities, civil society, researchers, and development partners, CNMC helps Cambodia participate effectively in Mekong cooperation and contribute to a river basin that is sustainably managed, environmentally sound, climate-resilient, and beneficial to all member countries.