Cambodia - Mekong River Delta Aquifer - CMDA Project

26/08/2026

Pilot projects to strengthen sustainable management of the Cambodia–Mekong Delta Aquifer

Over 50 participants gathered in Hanoi in July to take the first steps for pilot projects that seek to turn scientific evidence into practical solutions for the Cambodia Mekong Delta Aquifer. The meeting was part of the “Enhancing sustainability of the Transboundary Cambodia–Mekong River Delta Aquifer” (CMDA) project, a transboundary aquifer initiative implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and executed by IUCN, UNESCO, the Mekong Region Futures Institute (MERFI) and the governments of Cambodia and Viet Nam.

The Cambodia-Mekong Delta continues to face groundwater depletion, declining groundwater levels, salinity intrusion and land subsidence. The proposed pilots from the two countries are different in focus but share a common goal to turn scientific evidence and technical recommendations into practical solutions on the ground. Joint Technical Committee representatives from Cambodia and Viet Nam, along with representatives from the Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM) under Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), the General Department of Environment Protection (GDEP) under Cambodia's Ministry of Environment (MOE), UNESCO, MERFI, and other partner organisations also contributed to the pilot planning.

For more detail, please refer to the article below :
https://cmda.iwlearn.org/news/pilot-projects-to-strengthen-sustainable-management-of-the-cambodiamekong-delta-aquifer

Photo Credit: © IUCN Vietnam

26/08/2026

Visioning process lays the foundation for the Cambodia–Mekong Delta Transboundary Aquifer Strategic Action Plan

A stronger vision on Viet Nam-Cambodia transboundary cooperation has come into focus as the two countries met in July 2026 to address growing sustainability challenges to the Cambodia-Mekong Delta Aquifer (CMDA). A vital water and food source for communities near the borders of the two countries, the Aquifer is currently threatened by groundwater depletion, declining groundwater levels, salinity intrusion and land subsidence.

For more detail, please refer to the article below:
https://cmda.iwlearn.org/news/visioning-process-lays-the-foundation-for-the-cambodiamekong-delta-transboundary-aquifer-strategic-action-programme

Photo Credit: © IUCN Cambodia

30/07/2026

Visioning process lays the foundation for the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) of the Cambodia–Mekong Delta Transboundary Aquifer

💦On 14–15 July 2026, the project "Enhancing the Sustainability of the Cambodia–Mekong Delta Transboundary Aquifer" (CMDA) convened its second visioning meeting in Hanoi. The meeting aimed to lay the foundation for developing the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) – a key output under Component four of the project.

💦The meeting brought together around 40 members of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) from Cambodia and Viet Nam, along with representatives from the Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM) under Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), GDEP under Cambodia's Ministry of Environment (MOE), as well as representatives from UNESCO, MERFI, and other organisations.

💦At the meeting, participants discussed three future scenarios: the most probable scenario, the most desirable scenario, and the least desirable scenario, while also exploring potential strategic shocks that could influence the future of the transboundary aquifer.

These scenarios will provide the basis for developing the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) and identifying concrete transboundary cooperation actions, contributing to enhance environmental sustainability and water security in the Lower Mekong region.

The CMDA project is the largest transboundary aquifer initiative in Southeast Asia under the Global Environment Facility International Waters (GEF IW) Programme. Implemented over five years (2023–2028), the project is led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Governments of Cambodia and Viet Nam, through their respective national focal agencies: DWRM under Viet Nam's MAE and the GDEP under Cambodia's MOE. IUCN serves as the project's lead implementing agency, with UNESCO and MERFI as co-implementing partners.

Photo credit: IUCN Viet Nam and IUCN Cambodia

09/07/2026

Happy Arbor Day – 9 July 2026
"Planting Trees for a Greener and Sustainable Future"

01/07/2026

🐟 Celebrating National Fish Day in Cambodia | 1 July 2026

Today, Cambodia celebrates National Fish Day, an important occasion that highlights the country's commitment to conserving and sustainably managing its fisheries resources.

National Fish Day promotes collective efforts to protect freshwater fisheries, prevent illegal and destructive fishing practices, and restore healthy fish populations. These actions contribute to food security, support local livelihoods, conserve Cambodia's rich aquatic biodiversity, and ensure that fisheries continue to benefit present and future generations.

Together, let us celebrate and protect our invaluable fisheries and freshwater ecosystems for a more sustainable future. 🌿

25/05/2026

The Cambodia–Mekong Delta Aquifer (CMDA) is a shared transboundary groundwater system between Cambodia and Viet Nam, covering approximately 200,000 km² and supporting around 35 million people, ecosystems, agriculture, and industry across the Lower Mekong Basin. However, the aquifer is facing increasing pressure from groundwater over-extraction, climate variability, salinity intrusion, land-use changes, and water quality challenges.

From 25–27 March 2026 in Siem Reap, representatives from Cambodia and Viet Nam gathered under the CMDA project to strengthen dialogue and technical cooperation on sustainable groundwater management. The event included the First Annual Stocktaking Meeting, the Joint Inter-Ministerial Committee Inception and First Visioning Workshop, and field visits to Phnom Kulen National Park and the Siem Reap Water Supply Authority. Discussions focused on shared groundwater challenges, future management scenarios toward 2050, and potential pilot activities to support long-term transboundary cooperation and sustainable groundwater governance.

For more detail, please refer to the article below

From 25–27 March 2026, representatives from Cambodia and Viet Nam gathered in Siem Reap to advance dialogue and technical cooperation under the Enhancing sustainability of the transboundary Cambodia–Mekong Delta Aquifer (CMDA) project. 

20/04/2026

On the occasion of the Khmer New Year, IUCN would like to respectfully extend our best wishes to you, ladies and gentlemen, and your family. May you be blessed with happiness, prosperity, good health, great success, and everlasting growth and well-being 😍😍

27/03/2026

A forward-looking groundwater initiative makes progress in critical Mekong Delta Aquifer spanning Cambodia and Viet Nam

🌏 A forward-looking groundwater initiative is making progress in the Cambodia – Mekong River Delta transboundary aquifer. At the Annual Stocktaking Meeting (ASM) of the CMDA project in Siem Reap, organised by IUCN in cooperation with national partners, stakeholders from both countries convened to foster engagement, share progress, and strengthen partnerships. The project has conducted a gender-disaggregated survey of over 5,000 households, providing one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date datasets on groundwater use in the region.

🤝 The project has established a Joint Technical Committee and Inter-Ministerial Committees (IMCs) to guide the development of a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) and support long-term transboundary cooperation. The aquifer faces challenges including reduced recharge, over-extraction, agricultural pollution, salinity intrusion, and land subsidence, requiring coordinated cross-border action. In line with World Water Day 2026, the project also promotes inclusive approaches to water management, ensuring the engagement of women, youth, and marginalised groups.

👉 Read more:

Siem Riep, Cambodia, 25 March 2026 – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in cooperation with General Department of Environmental Protection (GDEP), Cambodia Ministry of Environment (MOE), and Department of Water Resources Management (DWRM), Viet Nam Ministry of Agriculture and En...

26/03/2026

Children in Viet Nam promote safe and efficient water use through art

💧🌎 On 19 March 2026, the DWRM/MAE and UNICEF in Viet Nam in partnership with IUCN and P**c Dien Secondary School in Ha Noi co-organised the closing and award ceremony of a nationwide painting contest on initiatives for safe and efficient water. More than 100 paintings honoured at the event among 60,000 entries showed outstanding artwork and creative ideas from young artists. The event brought together nearly 2,000 participants, including representatives from government agencies, international organizations, water experts, award-winning individuals and groups, as well as students, teachers, and media representatives. Through the contest, the message on safe and efficient water use reached more than one million teachers, parents, and students nationwide.

💧🌎 The event was a part of two projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under its International Waters programme, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and executed by IUCN. The two freshwater projects are “Enhancing sustainability of the transboundary Cambodia – Mekong River Delta Aquifer” (CMDA) and “Fostering water and environmental security in the Neun - Ca and Ma rivers transboundary river basins and related coastal areas”.

For more information about the contest, please see the video https://www.facebook.com/reel/1131402972400698

03/02/2026

Celebrating World Wetlands Day 2026 in Cambodia

On 2 February 2026, IUCN Cambodia participated in the celebration of World Wetlands Day 2026 themed “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage” at Balaing High School, Kampong Thom Province. The event was organised by the Department of Freshwater Wetlands Conservation under the General Directorate of Natural Protected Areas, Ministry of Environment.

The celebration was presided over by H.E. Sok Kheng Norvin, Under Secretary of State of the Ministry of Environment, and H.E. Chea Vann Chan, Deputy Provincial Governor of Kampong Thom Province. Approximately 300 participants attended the event, including representatives from relevant government departments, national and international NGOs, teachers, and students.

The event aimed to raise public awareness of the vital role wetlands in biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. It encourages youth and students to actively engage in the wetland conservation through educational programs and other activities.