On March 25, 2024, the Consultation Meeting of South-South-Cooperation Programme among China, Cambodia and UNICEF on Climate-Resilient WASH Cooperation Project was held in Beijing.
The opening ceremony was attended and addressed by Mr. Jin Hai, Director General of International Cooperation, Science & Technology of Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) of China, Mr. Hou Yaoyu, Deputy Director General of Rural Development of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of China, H.E. Mr. Tan Sokchea, Director General of Potable Water of Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) of Cambodia, H.E. Ms. Chanthet Sokha Deva, Deputy Director General of Technical Affairs of Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) of Cambodia, H.E. Ms. Dourng Dany, Deputy Director General of Sewerage and Waste Water Management of Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) of Cambodia, Ms. Amakobe Sande, Representative of UNICEF China, and chaired by Mr. Zhou Zhiwei, Secretary General of the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center (LMC Water Center). The panel discussion was co-chaired by Ms. Kim Sae-Ryo, Chief for Public Partnerships of UNICEF China and Mr. Michele Paba, Chief of WASH, Climate and Environment of UNICEF Cambodia.
?UNICEF/China/2024/Ma Yuyuan
Mr. Jin Hai noted that how to effectively respond to the growing water crisis and ensure everyone's basic right to safe drinking water is an important issue that the international community needs to face together, and the implementation of the climate-resilient WASH project will help further deepen the technical exchanges and cooperation between China, Cambodia and UNICEF in the field of safe water supply in rural areas, and work together to enhance the capacity to ensure water safety for children in the context of climate change. He reviewed the positive progress made in water resources cooperation between China and Cambodia in recent years, thanked UNICEF for its positive contribution to improving the water safety and well-being of children in China, and expressed China's willingness to continue to carry out more practical cooperation with UNICEF and Cambodia under the framework of the Global Development Initiative, and support other developing countries in accelerating their efforts to achieve the water-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
?UNICEF/China/2024/Ma Yuyuan
H. E. Mr. Tan Sokchea said that the deployment of climate-resilient technologies demonstrates foresight in addressing the challenges posed by climate change, ensuring that water resources remain accessible and safe in the face of environmental uncertainties. He hoped the trip (in China) will foster invaluable networking opportunities and collaborations, laying the groundwork for future endeavors aimed at advancing the development of WSAH for the well-being of Cambodian and Chinese. H.E. Ms. Chanthet Sokha Deva noted that seasonal climate variations disproportionately affect WASH services, especially in rural areas, and by embracing climate-resilient WASH solutions, all parties will build a foundation of hope and well-being for every child, every family, and every community in Cambodia. H.E. Ms. Dourng Dany said that this consultation meeting is indeed timely organized and will be significantly contributing the effectiveness of Resilient WASH management through the good cooperation between Cambodia and China and also enhance the strong relationship in WASH sector among these two countries.
Ms. Amakobe Sande believed that this project has tremendous potential for both Cambodia and China and it is a valuable opportunity to unleash the power of innovation and South-South cooperation to make vital WASH services more affordable, inclusive, and sustainable for vulnerable children and their families.
About 50 representatives including government officials and experts from China's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MHURD), MARA and MWR, as well as Chinese and Cambodian students from University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) attended the meeting.
(Source: LMC Water Center Author：Tong Yuchen 2024-04-16, http://www.lmcwater.org.cn/ )