Mekong River Commission

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the Mekong River Commission?
  2. What does the MRC do?
  3. How is the MRC managed and governed?
  4. What do the National Mekong Committees do?
  5. How is the MRC funded?
  6. Why did the MRC change its name from Mekong Committee?
  7. Where can I find general information about MRC activities?
  8. Where can I get specific information about a programme?
  9. How can I get maps of the Mekong region and related technical data?
  10. How can I order MRC publications?
  11. How do I contact MRC?
 
  1. What is the Mekong River Commission?

    2. The Mekong River Commission (MRC) is river basin organisation created by an agreement between the four countries sharing the Lower Mekong Basin: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam. The Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin, signed on 5 April 1995, established the framework for cooperation between the four governments for joint management of the Mekong's water and natural resources. The MRC provides the institutional framework to promote regional cooperation in order to implement the 1995 Agreement. The MRC serves its member states by supporting decisions and promoting action on sustainable development and poverty alleviation as a contribution to the UN Millennium Development Goals. The MRC supports the Mekong Programme, a Regional Cooperation Programme for the Sustainable Development of Water and Related Resources in the Mekong Basin owned by its member countries.

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  2. What does the MRC do?

    3. The role of the MRC, described in the 1995 Agreement, is "to promote and coordinate sustainable management and development of water and related resources for the countries' mutual benefit and the people's well-being." The MRC fulfils this role by implementing strategic programmes and activities and providing scientific information and policy advice. See the MRC's Work Programme 2005.

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  3. How is the MRC managed and governed?

    4. The MRC is governed by its four member countries through the Joint Committee and the Council. Members of the Joint Committee are usually senior civil servants heading government departments. There is one member from each country. The Joint Committee meets two to three times a year to approve budgets and strategic plans. Members of the Council are cabinet ministers. The Council meets once a year. Click here to see an organisational diagram.

    Technical and administrative support is provided by the MRC Secretariat. The Secretariat is based in Vientiane, Lao P.D.R, with over 120 staff including scientists, administrators and technical staff. A Chief Executive Officer manages the Secretariat.

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  4. What do the National Mekong Committees do?

    5. National Mekong Committees provide a link between the MRC and national governments and coordinate MRC-related activities at the national level through government line agencies.

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  5. How is the MRC funded?

    6. The MRC is funded through member country contributions and international development aid agencies.

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  6. Why did the MRC change its name from Mekong Committee?

    7. The Mekong River Commission was created in 1995 when Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam signed the Agreement on Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin. This agreement established the MRC as an agency for cooperation between the member countries on all matters to do with management and development of water and related resources of the Lower Mekong Basin.

    The former Mekong Committee, dating back to 1957, had a different mandate and role focusing specifically on water resource development.

    The change of name reflects that the Mekong River Commission is essentially a new organisation with a broader mandate for cooperation in areas including (but not limited to) flood management and mitigation, fisheries, agriculture, navigation, tourism, and consultation regarding water use and diversions.

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  7. Where can I find general information about MRC activities?

    8. See the latest Annual Report and Mekong News, the MRC's quarterly newsletter. Back issues can be obtained free of charge from the Documentation Centre of MRC at doc.centre@mrcmekong.org Regular postage charges will apply for bulk orders to other countries.

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  8. Where can I get specific information about a programme?

    9. Send an email query to mrcs@mrcmekong.org Your query will be forwarded to the relevant staff person at the Secretariat in Vientiane.

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  9. How can I get maps of the Mekong region and related technical data?

    10. Send a request saying why you need the data and/or maps to mrcs@mrcmekong.org addressed to the Director of the Technical Support Division. Production and postage costs apply. You can also look up maps on the flood extent of the Mekong on the flood/river monitoring pages on this website.

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  10. How can I order MRC publications?

    11. Order online by visiting the Information Products page on this website to see a list of available publications and prices or email doc.centre@mrcmekong.org. Regular shipping costs apply.

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  11. How do I contact MRC?

    12. You can contact MRC at the following addresses:

    Mekong River Commission Secretariat
    P.O. Box 6101
    Unit 18 Ban Sithane Neua, Sikhottabong District,
    Vientiane 01000, Lao PDR.
    Tel: (856) 21 263 263
    Facsimile: (856) 21 263 264

    For general queries: mrcs@mrcmekong.org
    For press information: mrcmedia@mrcmekong.org
    For flood information: floodinfo@mrcmekong.org

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