Enhancing sustainability of the transboundary Cambodia - Mekong River Delta Aquifer

ENHANCING SUSTAINABILITY OF THE TRANSBOUNDARY CAMBODIA – MEKONG RIVER DELTA AQUIFER

The Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer (CMDA) project is Southeast Asia's largest Transboundary Aquifer Integrated Waters Project funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF). It is a five-year comprehensive program to ensure sustainable groundwater management across the shared aquifer system of Cambodia and Viet Nam. The critical initiative represents phase one of a three-phase effort, with the potential for expanded GEF funding in subsequent phases to action the solutions developed through this essential transboundary cooperation.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

To strengthen environmental sustainability and water security in the Lower Mekong Basin by focusing, for the first time, on improved governance and sustainable utilization of the Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Transboundary Aquifer.

Conduct a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) to build consensus among countries on key aquifer concerns.
Develop and implement pilot projects to test options such as groundwater recharge and trade-off mitigation strategies.
Strengthened transboundary aquifer governance through cooperative mechanisms and agreements.
Develop a Strategic Action Plan (SAP) to enhance aquifer governance and foster transboundary cooperation and stakeholder participation.

PROJECT INFORMATION
Duration: March 2024 - December 2028
Government partners: Cambodia’s GDEP / MOE, Viet Nam’s DWRM / MONRE
Implementing and Lead Executing Partners: FAO and IUCN
Executing Partners: UNESCO, MERFI, national universities and institutes
Project location: Viet Nam and Cambodia

DOWNLOADS
Project flyer in English: LINK
Project flyer in Vietnamese: LINK
Project flyer in Khmer: LINK