Cambodia Launches WISE JP to Expand Climate Resilient Water and Renewable Energy Services
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PHNOM PENH, 23 March 2026 – The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), in partnership with the United Nations in Cambodia – UNICEF and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), announced today the launch of the Water Infrastructure & Smart Energy Joint Programme (WISE JP), a groundbreaking blended‑finance programme designed to accelerate access to climate‑resilient, safely managed water services across Cambodia.
Funded by the UN Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund, the WISE JP introduces a pioneering financial model that combines commercial and low-interest capital - a revolving blended‑finance facility - dedicated to ensuring climate‑smart water systems.
By blending concessional and commercial capital, the facility lowers financing costs for Private Water Operators (PWOs) while delivering technical support to those PWOs, financial institutions, and the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC). This assistance is vital as 1.9 million children—over one‑third of Cambodia’s child population—live in communes facing high climate risk, including recurring droughts, floods, and limited WASH services1
1 Children’s Climate Risk Index for Cambodia, 2021. .
H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, said: “Cambodia’s private water operators play a vital role in serving our people, particularly in areas not reached by public water utilities. Yet they continue facing challenges accessing affordable finance for infrastructure upgrades and renewable energy adoption. The WISE JP represents an important milestone in our national efforts to modernize the water supply sector, expand clean water access, and advance our climate commitments. By bringing innovation, investment, and long‑term sustainability to Cambodia’s water supply system, this partnership with the United Nations in Cambodia is expected to help improving water services for over 200,000 people across the country.”
“Access to climate‑resilient water services is essential for family well‑being and for children’s health and learning. Through the WISE JP, Cambodia is taking a bold step to ensure that children and families—especially those in hard‑to‑reach areas—benefit from affordable and sustainable clean water powered by renewable energy. The United Nations in Cambodia, through UNICEF and UNCDF, is proud to work alongside MISTI and our partners to unlock innovative financing that accelerates progress toward the SDGs and strengthens the resilience of communities across the country,” said Ms. Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia.
The Programme supports Cambodia’s progress toward the SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 13 (climate action) by mobilizing private investment in renewable‑energy‑powered water supply infrastructure, especially solar pumping and digital water management technologies.
The WISE JP will operate under a Steering Committee to ensure strong government leadership and alignment with Cambodia Sustainable Development Goals (CSDGs), Cambodia’s National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
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[1] Children’s Climate Risk Index for Cambodia, 2021.
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About the Joint SDG Fund
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds, and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work in Cambodia, visit: www.unicef.org.kh
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About UNCDF
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) mobilizes and catalyses an increase in capital flows for impactful investments in high-risk markets, especially in Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States and countries in special situations. By crowding in capital through the deployment of risk-absorbing financial instruments, mechanisms and structuring advisory, UNCDF contributes to job creation, sustained economic growth and equitable prosperity in more than 70 countries. Learn more at uncdf.org or follow @UNCDF.
