PHNOM PENH: Minister of Rural Development, Chhay Rithi Sen, said that by 2025, all Cambodians will have access to clean water. He said that the plan is currently 80% complete.

On the afternoon of September 11, the minister touted his plan to the Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, Ueno Atsushi, who came to pay a courtesy call and discuss business. Chhay Rithy Sen informed Mr. Atsushi about the Ministry's policy to invigorate the rural economy by constructing infrastructure to connect the whole country and improve people’s quality of life by providing access to clean water and educating the public on its use.

He said that by 2025, Cambodia will have enough clean water to supply the whole country, who will be educated on the importance of proper use of latrines to eliminate open defecation, which remains a health issue for those without access to running water. The Minister went on to highlight efforts to boost the rural economy by providing training in skills other than agriculture to provide provincial populations with alternative forms of income.

The Japanese Ambassador praised the long-standing partnership of the two countries under the leadership of former Prime Minister Hun Sen and promised to continue to cooperate with the new administration to promote rural development in Cambodia.