Overview

Project Objectives

The CMDA project’s overall objective is:

"To strengthen environmental sustainability and water security in the Lower Mekong Basin by investing in improved governance and sustainable utilization of the Cambodia-Mekong River Delta Transboundary Aquifer."

To achieve this, the project focuses on five key outcomes:

1. Consensus on Key Transboundary Concerns: A joint fact-finding process to develop a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), opening pathways to concerted remedial actions.
2. Pilot Solutions for Improved Groundwater Management: Testing strategies for groundwater recharge enhancement, extraction reduction, and ecosystem trade-off mitigation.
3. Improved Transboundary Cooperation Mechanisms: Strengthening bilateral governance through agreements on groundwater monitoring, data exchange, and institutional coordination.
4. Policy and Legal Reforms: Advancing national and regional policies to ensure the protection and equitable use of the shared aquifer.
5. Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building: Promoting institutional capacity, gender mainstreaming, and knowledge-sharing for sustainable groundwater management.

Key Components of the CMDA Project

The CMDA project is structured into five major components, each addressing critical aspects of groundwater sustainability:

1. Joint Science-Based Diagnostic
   • Conducting a comprehensive Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) to assess groundwater dynamics, recharge-extraction balance, ecosystem dependencies, and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
   • Identifying key risks, including over-extraction, land subsidence, and contamination.
2. Piloting Solutions for Improved Groundwater Management
   • Demonstration of Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and nature-based solutions.
   • Reducing groundwater dependency and implementing innovative monitoring systems.
3. Transboundary Cooperation Mechanisms
   • Establishing a bilateral consultation body (TCCB) and harmonized groundwater monitoring.
   • Implementing a data-sharing framework to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
4. Joint Strategies and Action Programs
   • Developing a Strategic Action Plan (SAP) that outlines long-term strategies and environmental quality targets.
   • Coordinating groundwater management policies across national and regional levels.
5. Capacity Building, Stakeholder Engagement, and Gender Mainstreaming
   • Enhancing institutional capacities for sustainable groundwater governance.
   • Ensuring inclusive participation, particularly for women, indigenous groups, and marginalized communities.
   • Increasing public awareness of sustainable groundwater use through community outreach, media campaigns, and educational programs.

The project was started upon the signature of the PRODOC document in November 2023 and runs 5 years until 2028. The overall lay out of the components is shown below. 

Project Implementation and Partners

The CMDA project is implemented under the GEF International Waters (IW) framework with a funding structure that includes USD 15 million from GEF and USD 114.6 million in co-financing from Cambodia, Viet Nam, FAO, IUCN, UNESCO, and other partners.

Key Executing Partners include:

• IUCN (Lead Executing Agency)
• UNESCO (Technical Support for TDA and Gender Mainstreaming)
• Mekong Region Futures Institute (MERFI) (Scientific and policy research)
• Cambodia Ministry of Environment (MOE) and Viet Nam Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) (Governmental implementation)
• Local stakeholders, communities, and water users in the Lower Mekong Basin.