JAPAN: The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen, considers water as an important source of life, which is a determining factor for living and quality of life, which must be taken care of to ensure that this important source of life escapes from destruction. Protecting water resources now is a determinant of the future of our next generation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Kumamoto, Japan this morning, April 23, 2022, PM Hun Sen highlighted a number of factors that have damaged natural resources and water resources includes human activities, climate change, floods, droughts, population growth and rapid development.

He recommended that in order to sustainably manage water resources, it is necessary to promote the development and integration of infrastructure networks to support water resources in the country, the region and the world, and to continue to promote responsibility for social, economic and green development especially for agriculture, which is a water-intensive sector.

He also called for digital cooperation to capture digital technologies, for the efficient use and management of water and to continue to promote social sustainability in the use and management of water in order to ensure all the people can access to water.

He said: “For Cambodia, water is considered as “White Gold” a driving force for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic progress and development. The Royal Government of Cambodia always recognizes its strategic importance and place high priority on water resources aimed to promote better management of water resources in order to ensure water security in the country. Cambodia will continue its commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders, under both regional and international mechanisms, to strengthen and promote more effective governance and management of water resource and the River basin, towards achieving “Water for Sustainable Development” objective”.

PM believes that a high level of political commitment, hard work and joint action are important to make the implementation of the successful and highly effective. He supports the declaration of the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit.

The 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS), held in Kumamoto, Japan, will be held under the theme "Water for Sustainable Development Best Practices and the Next Generation" will be held from April 23 to 24.

The purpose of this meeting is to share ideas, visions of solutions and implementation to the Heads of State and Head of Government who support policy decisions to accelerate activities to achieve quality growth towards an environmentally resilient and sustainable society, tackling all water-related issues after the Covid-19 crisis in the Asia-Pacific region.