The 1995 Mekong Agreement establishes the goals, objectives and underlying principles by which the four Member Countries intend to cooperate. They are summarised as follows: 

• To cooperate in all fields of sustainable development, use, management and conservation of water and related resources of the Mekong River Basin, in a manner that optimises multiple uses and benefits of water and related resources in the Mekong River Basin including irrigation, hydropower, navigation, flood control, fisheries, timber floating, recreation and tourism (Article 1).  

• To promote the sustainable development of the basin’s full potential and prevent wasteful use, with an emphasis on joint and/or basin-wide development projects and programmes (Article 2). 

•  To protect the environment, natural resources, aquatic life and conditions, and ecological balance of the Mekong River Basin and minimise pollution and other harmful effects (Articles 3 and 7-10). 

•  To utilise the waters of the Mekong River system in a reasonable and equitable manner (Articles 4-6).