Mekong River Commission

MRC countries discuss basin development, river flow procedures

MRC No.20/04
Vientiane, 8 December 2004

 

Government Ministers representing Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam met in Vientiane today to discuss future plans for the sustainable development of the Mekong Basin as well as considering procedures for the maintenance of flows on the Mekong mainstream.

The Members of the MRC Council gathered at the Mekong River Commission’s 11th Annual Meeting of Council being held from 8-9 December 2004.

The Council Members will be discussing the adoption of a new framework for the MRC’s core programme the Basin Development Plan (BDP), which is now entering its second phase.

“The BDP is moving toward the introduction of an integrated water resources development programme in the Mekong Basin, and we think this will pave the way for significant developmental progress being made within the region,” explained MRC Chief Executive Officer Dr Olivier Cogels. “We also feel it can only bring benefits to the poorest people of the region who make up the majority of those living in the basin.”

Procedures concerning the maintenance of acceptable minimum monthly flows of the Mekong mainstream in the dry season, the acceptable natural reverse flow of the Tonle Sap (in Cambodia) during the wet season, and the prevention of unnatural peak flows will also come under discussion.

In addition to providing benchmark flows against which to assess future development proposals, an important benefit of these procedures will be that they will put in place a framework for drought forecasting and management for the MRC Secretariat and the member countries.

On other matters, the ministers will also talk about the full-scale implementation of the MRC’s new

Flood Management and Mitigation Programme (which has received multi-million dollar support from many international donors) and the introduction of a new phase for the Fisheries Programme.

The Council is also expected to deal with budgetary items and approve the MRC’s 2005 Work Programme.

 

For more information, please contact:

Ms Virginia Addison, Communications Officer,
Tel: 856 21 263 263 Ext 1122.
Mobile: (856) 20 559 9139
Fax: (856-21) 263 264
Email: virginia@mrcmekong.org
Website: www.mrcmekong.org

 

Those attending the 11th Annual Meeting of the Mekong River Commission Council

H .E. Mr Somphong Mongkhonvilay, Minister to Prime Minister’s Office, Chairman of the National Tourism Authority, Chairman of the MRC council for 2004/2005, Member of the MRC Council for Lao PDR.

H.E. Mr Lim Kean Hor, Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology, Chairman of the MRC council for 2003/2004, Member of the MRC Council for Cambodia.

H.E. Mr Suwit Khunkitti, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Member of the MRC Council for Thailand.

H.E. Dr. Pham Hong Giang, Vice-Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alternate Member of the MRC Council for Viet Nam.

 

 

Top