H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), and H.E. Wansup Kim, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Korea, reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation during a meeting in Phnom Penh on May 7, 2025, with a strong focus on advancing Cambodia’s water supply infrastructure and promoting green industry development.

During the meeting, Minister Kim expressed Korean government’s plan to increase investment in Cambodia, highlighting water supply and environmental sustainability as key priorities.

“We see great potential in collaborating on the provision of social goods, such as clean water and green infrastructure. Cambodia doesn’t need to repeat the same missteps Korea faced during its own industrial transition,” Minister Kim said, adding that Korea’s smart water management system will support the goals of Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy.

Minister Vanndy welcomed Korea’s continued support, particularly in helping Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) deploy a Smart Water Management System to improve operational efficiency. “Water supply is more than a basic need—it’s a foundation for our economic transformation,” he said.

He emphasized Cambodia’s ambition to expand water infrastructure to support growing demand in regions such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap pronvice, and encouraged joint efforts in green industry development as Cambodia prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country status by late 2029.

Korea has been a longstanding partner in advancing Cambodia’s water supply sector. Through the Smart Water Management System project, Korea has provided technical assistance, grant funding, and capacity building to support PPWSA. The project aims to improve PPWSA’s operational efficiency—such as by installing smart water meters to detect leaks—and to develop a resilient, technology-driven clean water infrastructure for Cambodia.