The Tonle Sap Basin is one of the world’s most productive freshwater ecosystems, sustaining 1.7 million people directly, and millions more through fisheries, farming, and other resource-based activities.
Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh Credit: Romulo Gama Ferreira
Climate change, upstream development, deforestation, and rapid population growth are placing unprecedented pressure on its ecosystems – threatening biodiversity, water quality, and long-term food security. This is compounded by fragmented data, governance challenges, and limited inclusion of marginalised groups, making it harder to plan for a climate-resilient future.
To address these issues, the World Bank engaged the expertise of the AWP to work with the Tonle Sap Authority (TSA) and lead an international technical team in a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of the Basin.
As a trusted partner, AWP brokered collaboration between the World Bank, TSA, and the International Centre for Environment Management (ICEM), building the trust essential for the Basin’s future.
Working with Cambodian experts, the team produced the State of the Tonle Sap Basin study, a diagnostic combining environmental, hydrological, fisheries, and socio-economic data to establish trends. The analysis pinpointed water security hotspots and drivers of change, providing a foundation for targeted interventions.
Consultation meetings during the visit to the Pearaing Biodiversity Conservation Center. Credit: Sam Dickens/ICEM
It also saw the co-development of a Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Action Plan with TSA, informed by field consultations with more than 120 stakeholders across four provinces.
The project began with a jointly designed workplan and inception report, endorsed by the World Bank and TSA, setting a clear roadmap, including a workshop with 150 participants across government, academia, partners, and civil society to share perspectives and agree on priorities.
Inception Workshop Participants Credit: TSA
By consolidating fragmented datasets into a single, accessible source, the project improved decision-making capacity, while increasing local ownership through TSA involvement in technical planning and data collection. This collaborative approach strengthened coordination among TSA, the World Bank, and the AWP, embedding GEDSI principles across all activities.
It has also demonstrated the value of combining local expertise with international technical knowledge to address complex water challenges.
The next phase of work will include the completion of the State of the Basin analysis, prepare the Water Security Diagnostic Report, as well as finalise the GEDSI Action Plan followed by hotspot verification missions and capacity-building for TSA partners. These outputs will be presented at a national consultation workshop to gather feedback from government and stakeholders.
These results will inform national water security planning and serve as a model for future basin-wide diagnostics across Cambodia and the Mekong region, demonstrating how partnerships, inclusive governance, and science-based decision-making can secure water futures for communities and ecosystems.
Learn more about the Australian Water Partnership: www.waterpartnership.org.au
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