Project Description

Support to the Tonle Sap Authority on the State of the Tonle Sap Basin Diagnostic Assessment 

Donor:  Australian Water Partnership (AWP)|   Duration: December 2024 – October 2025  |  Location: Cambodia

Project Background:

The Tonle Sap Basin is one of the world’s most productive freshwater ecosystems, encompassing Tonle Sap Lake, the Tonle Sap River, and 11 major tributaries. This dynamic system supports the livelihoods of 1.7 million people directly and sustains millions more through its critical ecosystem services. However, the basin faces growing pressures from environmental degradation, water security challenges, and socio-economic changes, threatening its long-term sustainability.

To address these challenges, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), through the Tonle Sap Authority (TSA) and in collaboration with the World Bank, is conducting a water security diagnostic assessment of the basin. This multidisciplinary study aims to analyze the key drivers of change, assess risks to ecosystem health and livelihoods, and provide recommendations for sustainable water management.

The Australian Water Partnership is working closely with the World Bank to design and deliver the Tonle Sap Water Security Diagnostic Assessment. This will bring together key stakeholders to work collaboratively on a long-term strategy, development, and investment plans for the sustainable and inclusive development, preservation, and conservation of the Tonle Sap Basin. ICEM is the Australian Partner of AWP, and is providing AWP’s expert technical input to the Tonle Sap Water Security Diagnostic Report, and leading the technical implementation of the Diagnostic.

Project Objectives

As part of AWP’s contribution to the diagnostic assessment, ICEM is leading the technical implementation of the diagnostic, and contributing experts to key technical areas:

  • Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and River Basin Planning (RBP): Assessing current water resource conditions, key risks, and opportunities for improved basin-wide planning.
  • Fisheries and Aquaculture: Evaluating the impact and severity of water security issues on fishery and aquaculture resources, which are critical for livelihoods in the region.
  • Economic Analysis: Identifying the economic drivers of change and their implications for water resource governance.
  • Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI): Ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable communities are included in water security considerations.
  • GIS, diagnostic, and mapping: Analysis and mapping of key technical areas, illustrating the pressures that face this critical ecosystem and the water security hotspots most affected.
  • Climate Change: Evaluating the impacts of climate change on water resources in the basin, including existing adaptations and those which will be required in the future.
  • Livelihoods and Social Analysis: Identifying, quantifying, and summarizing the key livelihoods in the basin, the water security issues which threaten them, and the causes of trends and changes in livelihoods and demography.

ICEM is working closely with the World Bank and Tonle Sap Authority to co-develop the workplan and methodology and deliver this comprehensive assessment that will:

  • Identify key water security risks, pressures, and trends impacting the TSB.
  •  Assess the impacts of different management scenarios, including business-as-usual, to inform basin-wide planning and decision-making.
  •  Develop a GEDSI action plan to enhance water security and social equity.
  • Build the capacity of TSA and relevant government agencies in integrated basin assessment and planning.
  •  Engage local communities and stakeholders, including marginalized groups, in the diagnostic assessment process to ensure inclusive and sustainable water governance.