Officials from the public works ministry pose for a group photo at the 4th AWaP Technical Seminar in Sapporo, Japan on August 1. MPWT
Senior officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport recently participated in two key events: the third joint session of the Asia Wastewater Management Partnership (AWaP) and the fourth AWaP Technical Seminar. Both events were held in Sapporo, Japan.
The delegation, led by secretary of state Ros Vanna, convened with representatives from various member nations including Japan, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, with Myanmar being the notable absentee.
The ministry described the third AWaP meeting as an event that focused on several crucial agendas. Among the key points were a presentation on progress and the AWaP activity report for the years 2018 through to 2022. An additional topic of great import was the draft action plan for the years spanning 2023 to 2030.
The meeting also showcased and shared Japanese technologies and techniques related to wastewater management, urban flood prevention, and networking with numerous Japanese companies that specialise in wastewater system work. Booth visits and networking sessions were also a part of the event.
Established in 2018 in Yangon, Myanmar, the AWaP comprises six member countries, namely Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Japan.
A primary objective for AWaP is to cut the quantity of untreated or inadequately filtered wastewater by a minimum of 50 per cent by the year 2030.
This purposeful target mirrors Goal 6.3 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. As a culmination of their recent meeting, the partnership announced that Cambodia will play host to the fourth AWaP meeting in 2025.
Hong Vannak, an economics researcher at the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, said on August 2 that participating in such an international meeting is crucial for Cambodia.
“Rapid population growth in major cities and some urban areas has resulted in significant wastewater management issues,” he stated.
“This presents a substantial concern that Cambodia and other countries need to address promptly and strategically. Our focus must be on improving health, hygiene, and public welfare, as well as preserving the natural beauty of our surroundings,” he added.
Public works minister Sun Chanthol touted the ongoing efforts of the ministry in collaboration with the World Bank and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
They are currently studying and creating a master plan for the handling and treatment of wastewater and rainwater in various towns including Koh Kong, Kampot, Kep, Battambang, Siem Reap and Kampong Cham. He underlined the importance of these efforts for environmental protection and public health.
Nevertheless, Chanthol admitted that Cambodia needs to continue collaborating with regional countries in order to further this important work. This highlights the importance of ongoing regional partnerships like AWaP in tackling significant environmental and public health challenges.
