Cambodia and World Bank Forge Ahead to Transform Takhmao’s Urban Landscape Through Green Waste Management

• Proeksa Meas
• 21 October 2026
• Construction Focus
• 102 Views

Urbanization brings modern vitality, but it also amplifies the silent crisis of solid waste and plastic pollution. Addressing this pressing challenge head-on, the Ministry of Interior served as a vital hub for a high-stakes inter-ministerial gathering on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Led by His Excellency Ros Vanna, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) and Project Director, the meeting brought together policymakers from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Environment, and the General Department of Resettlement under the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Crucially, the session was co-driven by Ms. Katelijn Van den Berg, Senior Environmental Specialist and Task Team Leader for the World Bank, highlighting a unified international and domestic resolve to reshape Cambodia’s urban environmental future.

Far from being a routine bureaucratic check-in, the review of the seventh implementation support mission—spanning from October 6 to October 14, 2026—pushed past standard metrics to tackle the human and technical core of urban development. Discussions were deeply anchored in preparing for the upcoming Mid-Term Review (MTR) framework, with an intense focus on accelerating the Detailed Resettlement Plan (DRP) and compensation mechanisms for Takhmao city in Kandal province. Ensuring that affected communities are fairly compensated while infrastructure expands is the defining challenge of modern sustainable engineering, and this coalition is navigating it with rigorous attention to detail.

During the sessions, Ms. Van den Berg praised the tangible implementation progress achieved thus far, while laying down clear strategic action roadmaps designed to dismantle existing bottlenecks. These proactive steps are engineered to fast-track project timelines, ensuring every milestone aligns strictly with contractual commitments and international environmental safeguards.

Ultimately, the Solid Waste and Plastic Management Improvement Project, powered by World Bank financing, is much more than an infrastructure initiative; it is a transformative blueprint for sustainable living in Cambodia. By bridging institutional gaps, optimizing waste collection systems, and prioritizing transparent social frameworks, Takhmao is paving the way for a cleaner, greener tomorrow. (read more)

• waste management
• MPWT
• World Bank
• MOE
• recycle waste
• DRP