Project
Enhancing the sustainability of the transboundary Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Aquifer
Project overview
The Cambodia-Mekong Delta Aquifer project is a groundbreaking initiative addressing critical challenges in the Lower Mekong Basin—a vast hydrological, ecological, and socio-economic system that supports more than 65 million people and some of the world’s most diverse freshwater ecosystems. Lying beneath the fertile soils and floodplains of Cambodia and southern Viet Nam, the Cambodia-Mekong Delta Aquifer (CMDA) is a vital underground reservoir that sustains the region’s agriculture, drinking water, and biodiversity. It faces mounting threats from over-extraction, land subsidence, saline intrusion, and pollution, compounded by climate change and rapid socio-economic transitions. This makes coordinated transboundary management essential for securing its future.
By applying science-based assessments and innovative approaches to groundwater management, and by fostering inclusive stakeholder engagement, the CMDA project safeguards water security, protects fragile ecosystems, and promotes equitable resource use through a gender equality and ethnic minority perspective. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by FAO, this initiative unites governments, scientists, and local communities to build a sustainable future for this critical resource.
Project site: Viet Nam and Cambodia
Project duration: 2023 - 2028
UNESCO serves as a key executing partner in the CMDA project, drawing on its extensive experience in transboundary water management. UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) leads the execution of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) process, with support from international technical partners and Cambodian and Vietnamese institutions. UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) coordinates and implements gender integration activities across all project components.
Key UNESCO-led activities include:
- Supporting joint diagnostics to assess groundwater dynamics and ecosystem dependencies.
- Enhancing transboundary cooperation mechanisms by harmonizing monitoring networks and protocols and fostering data exchange procedures.
- Building capacity for sustainable groundwater management through gender-responsive and inclusive approaches.
- Promoting international cooperation and aligning project efforts with global standards for sustainable water management.
Key outcomes
For more information:
The CMDA project aims to serve as a model for transboundary groundwater cooperation in the region.
For more information contact Simone Grego (s.grego(at)unesco.org) and for press inquiries, Joseph Hincks (jp.hincks(at)unesco.org).
For country-specific inquires, please contact:
In Viet Nam - Lan Huong Tran (l.tran(at)unesco.org )
In Cambodia - Nissay Sam (n.sam(at)unesco.org )
