The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) has set a target to achieve 100 percent coverage of basic rural water supply and sanitation by 2030, in line with the Cambodia Sustainable Development Goals (CSDGs).
The commitment was highlighted by H.E. Chhay Rithisen, Minister of MRD, in a Validation and Dissemination Workshop on the Final Draft of the National Strategic Plan and National Action Plan for Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, 2026-2033, held in Phnom Penh on Feb.11.
Ms. Yasmin Siddiqi, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Cambodia, attended the workshop with representatives of relevant ministries and institutions, development partners, non-governmental organisations, project consultants, technical officials of the Ministry, as well as representatives from the 25 Municipal and Provincial Departments of Rural Development, who participated both in person and virtually via Zoom.
H.E. Chhay Rithisen expressed his high appreciation and sincere gratitude for the continued support provided to the rural development sector. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with ADB, UNICEF, and all relevant stakeholders.
The Minister emphasised that the Royal Government of Cambodia has placed strong and sustained emphasis on rural water supply and sanitation, as articulated in the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase 1 and the Policy Platform for Nation Building and National Defence 2023-2028.
These frameworks set the target of achieving 100 percent coverage of basic rural water supply and sanitation by 2030, in line with the CSDGs.
He further noted that the MRD has actively contributed to the implementation of national policies and strategies on rural water supply and sanitation through the successful implementation of the two previous phases of the National Action Plan.
As a result, by 2025, coverage of basic rural water supply services reached 89 percent, while safely managed water services reached 25 percent.
Coverage of basic rural sanitation increased to 95 percent, and safely managed sanitation services reached 51 percent.
In addition, all 25 capital and provinces nationwide have achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
Building on these commendable achievements, the MRD is currently finalising the National Strategic Plan and National Action Plan, with the objectives of achieving 100 percent coverage of basic water supply and sanitation by 2030, increasing safely managed water services to 50 percent, and safely managed sanitation services to 70 percent by 2033, while also promoting the attainment of advanced Open Defecation Free status (ODF+) to the greatest extent possible.
H.E. the Minister provided a number of key recommendations to guide the workshop discussions, ensuring that the formulation of the National Strategic Plan and National Action Plan for Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene 2026-2033 is comprehensive, realistic, and fully aligned with the Royal Government’s Policy Platform for Nation Building and National Defence 2023-2028, the Pentagonal Strategy – Phase 1, the National Strategic Development Plan of the 7th Legislature, and the National Policy on Rural Development 2025-2035.
Ms. Yasmin Siddiqi, reaffirming their strong commitment to continued support and close collaboration with the MRD and relevant partners to ensure the successful formulation and implementation of the National Strategic Plan and National Action Plan for Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene 2026-2033, in alignment with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s strategic priorities.
