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A New START to Global Climate Change Knowledge Sharing

Scientific knowledge sharing is at the heart of the START
Agreement to ensure the preservation of the Mekong
and its resources. Photo: MRC/Jim Holmes

As scientific and political debate now recognises that global climate change exists regional attention has begun to focus on its effects in the Mekong and how we can predict and adapt.

Speakers at the MRC's Regional Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative Forum held in Bangkok from 2-3 February said changes to climate and river flows could have severe effects on the livelihoods of millions of people who depend directly on the natural resources of the Mekong River and its tributaries.

"We know that concrete action needs to take place locally, and in order to act effectively, we need information about the impact of climate change and possibilities for adaptation to these changes at regional and local levels," said Alternative Member of the Mekong River Commission (MRC)'s Joint Committee for Thailand, Siripong Hungspreug.

As part of the MRC's endeavors to increase understanding of the effects of climate change on the Mekong and develop methods to mitigate and or adapt to these changes, the Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative began in July 2008. The Bangkok forum was part of this.

To ensure the highest quality research and encourage transboundary knowledge sharing and dialogue, the programme brings together numerous partners, and places a strong focus on stakeholder participation.

Knowledge sharing was strengthened significantly in December 2008 with the signing by the MRC of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Global Change System for Analysis, Research and Training (START).

Under the MOU the two organisations will cooperate to study climate change and adaptation; hydrology of the Mekong River Basin; share knowledge and information on operational modeling capabilities where they relate to climate change, mitigation or hydrological scenarios; exchange data and technical publications.

START is an international research network sponsored by International Geosphere Biosphere the Programme (IGBP), International Human Dimension Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP) and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) to promote multidisciplinary research on the interactions of human and environmentel affects of global changes. START has nine regional research centres and nodes worldwide and its regional research centre for Southeast Asia is located in Bangkok, Thailand.

"The Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative of the MRC will provide tools and processes for including climate change impacts and adaptation strategies into planning and management of water resources," Mr. Bird said at the signing. "This newly launched cooperation between the MRC and Southeast Asia START Regional Centre will benefit the two organisations through sharing of information and will enable each to build on findings of the others."

The MOU was signed in Vientiane, Lao PDR, by Mr. Jeremy Bird, Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat and Dr. Anond Snidvongs, Director of the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for START.

For more information, contact: Vithet Srinetr on vithet@mrcmekong.org.

 

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Coordination Counts: MRC Council Chair

H.E. Mme Khempeng Polsena addresses the MRC Council Meeting in
Vientiane, Lao PDR

The Mekong River Commission's propoor development "work will be greatly enhanced by the greater coordination of funding provided by its development partners" the new chairperson of the MRC Council said in one of her first public statements.

Speaking at the 15th MRC Council Meeting held in Vientiane on 6-8 November 2008, H.E. Mme Khempeng Pholsena, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Head of Water Resources and Environment Administration, Member of the Lao National Mekong Committee and Chairperson of the MRC Council for 2008/2009, reminded participants of the unique role the MRC has to play in water management. By representing four countries, the MRC "has an innate interest in balancing use of the Mekong Basin's resources so that they are used for the countries' mutual benefit and people's well-being," Mme Khempeng noted. "It also has the knowledge base and technical expertise to help us gain maximum benefits from these resources in the most sustainable manner."

Mme Khempeng went on to welcome the participation of the MRC's development partners in the Donor Consultative Group session of the Council Meeting.

Mme Khempeng stressed that the forum provided an ideal opportunity for greater dialogue between the organisations and the much needed means to harmonize donor aid to MRC programmes. Cutting down transaction costs would ensure that through MRC programmes donor money would have a greater impact on the lives of poor people of the Mekong.

Another topic of great interest to development partners and the public discussed at the Council Meeting was hydropower. Previously marked to be upgraded from project to programme status, the Council noted that while greater commitment from all relevant parties was still required, hydropowerrelated activities already initiated within the existing programmes were progressing well.

One issue in particular was identified as being of utmost importance for the ongoing sustainability of the organisation and that was national staff capacity building. In her closing speech, Mme Khempeng summed up the general sentiment when she said, "While some may feel that capacity is not yet high enough in all sectors to guarantee effective local management of MRC activities, it should be remembered that one of the key goals of the Commission is capacity building. Appointment of Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese and Lao staff to work alongside experts from the other countries and technical advisors from elsewhere can play an important role in transfer of skills essential for integrated water resource management."

The finding of a permanent location for the MRC Secretariat was briefly discussed by the Council; options being considered are Phnom Phen, Cambodia, and Vientiane, Lao PDR. However, to avoid breaking the Secretariat's present momentum and to allow it to focus on important activities such as the assessment of basic-wide development scenarios, a basic development strategy and hydropower development, it was decided to defer any decision to relocate the body until September 2009.

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People Raise Their Voices To Be Heard Across The Mekong

Mainstream dams are increasingly becoming the
focus of positive discourse between MRC, governments,
the community and other stakeholders.

Mekong mainstream dams: People's voices across borders, Mekong Public Forum, 12-13 November 2008, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok Thailand.

Concern amongst civil organisations and the public generally about the impact of mainstream dams on the Mekong has been increasing in recent years. To discuss means of strengthening collaboration to deal with the challenges presented by proposed mainstream dams on the Mekong, civil society and academic groups organized the international conference, "Mekong mainstream dams: People's voices across borders" was held on 12-13 November 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The main purposes of the forum were:

• To provide an opportunity for civil society and national and regional policy and decision makers to discuss the problems caused by hydropower dams in Mekong region including the Mekong mainstream dams;
• To look at some of the possible solutions to these challenges;
• To assess both the successes and failures of existing large hydropower projects in the region;
• To examine existing regional cooperation on proposed mainstream dams; and
• To promote more effective ways of ensuring civil society's involvement in the development of alternatives to Mekong mainstream dams as a means of meeting the region's energy needs and ensuring sustainable development.

MRC takes the stand

A plenary on the 'Governance and Knowledge Role of the Mekong River Commission with respect to Mekong mainstream dams' was held at which Jeremy Bird, CEO of MRC Secretariat, made a presentation on 'MRC's role in relation to the planning and implementation of mainstream dams and its strategic framework'

Chris Barlow, Manager of MRC Fisheries Programme shared his expert knowledge with the delegates during his presentation, 'Current status of knowledge on the fisheries impacts of mainstream dams and mitigation options'

Key Points

The key point hammered home by civil organizations and academics during the forum was that mainstream dams do have detrimental impacts on the Mekong and these impacts on fisheries and livelihoods cannot be mitigated. Participants argued that the Mekong River is vital for the survival of riparian communities and is the 'soul and identity' of the people who live along its banks. It therefore followed that governments need to look beyond short term economic benefits of hydropower and consider alternative means of meeting the regions energy demands. Community participation was very high on the agenda. Delegates submitted that the current process for dam construction lacks recognition of community rights to access and manage resources provided by the river. Furthermore, environmental impact assessments have been inadequate and there has been little participation by external groups in the planning process.

The MRC did not escape criticism. Key problems highlighted were the MRC's lack of direct accountability to the public and the inaccessibility of information produced by the organization to civil society. For more information on what the MRC is doing to address these issues, please refer to the article below 'MRC encourages Greater Paticipation'. The MRC and governments of the region were also accused of failing to take action in resolving cross-border issues.

With growing awareness of the issues in the community, however, participants concluded that there is an increasing opportunity for dialogue and for civil society networks to consolidate networks across borders to deal with such issues.

Encouraging participation and dialogue

The MRC was encouraged by the open and frank discussion at the forum and hopes this will set the trend for increasing dialogue with civil society and communities, which is the key goal of the MRC stakeholder participation strategy currently being developed.

The conference was attended by approximately 300 civil society representatives, government officials from the Mekong countries, donor agencies, intergovernmental agencies, students and journalists.

Main organisers of the conference included the Foundation for Ecological Recovery (FER)/ Towards Ecological Recovery and Regional Alliance (TERRA), Thailand's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI).

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MRC Encourages Greater Participation

Delegates gave input into the draft BDP2 Stakeholder Participation and
Communication Plan. Photo:
MRC

To increase the level of stakeholder involvement in MRC policy decision making, the MRC convened a Regional Meeting on Stakeholder Engagement in Vientiane on 25 November 2008, the main goal of which was to lay the foundations for developing a formalized strategy for stakeholder participation. The event was a tacit acknowledgement that without the participation of all parties involved in and / or affected by the work of the MRC, the organisation's decisions not only lack transparency but can also be based on insufficient information which could be provided by the many stakeholders, including the communities of the Mekong Basin.

With this spirit of sharing in mind, the agreed purposes of the meeting were:

• To exchange information between the Mekong River Commission and Mekong River Basin stakeholders and increase understanding of possible approaches and tools for meaningful engagement in the MRC;
• To share results from initial scoping on possible MRC-wide principles and policy implementation elements to guide stakeholder participation within the MRC Joint Committee and Council for feedback and comment; and
• To introduce and receive feedback from regional stakeholders on the draft of the Basin Development Plan 2's Stakeholder Participation and Communication Plan.

The MRC is currently developing standard principles for increasing stakeholder participation within the Joint Commitee and Council. During the regional stakeholder engagement meeting, the delegates were asked to give their input into the development of these principles.

Delegates made it clear that some basic work was required before principles could be fully developed and implemented. This would include clarifying the role of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat and National Mekong Committees' role in stakeholder involvement and improving communication (including the use of non-technical language and ensuring the translation of documents).

The session recommended that to be effective and realistically implemented, the strategy needed to be built upon established processes and have a mechanism built in that would take into account financial and human resource limitations. In addition, the MRC needed to focus its consultation with civil society on real water resource development issues. Finally, the stakeholder engagement policy should also include a process for its implementation.

In a second session, delegates examined more closely stakeholder participation in a specific programme namely the Basin Development Programme, through the BDP's Stakeholder Participation and Communication Plan (SPCP).

Similar recommendations were made during this session as that preceding it: building upon existing processes, simplifying language and communicating effectively and frequently with stakeholders.

The draft MRC Stakeholder Engagement Principles will now be drafted and submitted to the Twentyninth Session of the Joint Committee in March 2009 for consideration. The SPCP document will be finalised in early 2009 with stakeholder analysis and national workshops from January to March 2009 to provide opportunities for comment.

For more information, contact Charlotte Gobin, on gobin@mrcmekong.org.

 

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Judging and Learning; a Results-Based Approach

We all like to tell ourselves we're good. Even better, we love it when others tell us we're good. But at some stage, and particularly for organisations responsible to the public, the only way to prove our worth is by looking at the hard facts and assessing whether what we're achieving matches the accolades.

Up till now, the MRC has reported its progress in quarterly and annual reports. However, there has been an increasing awareness that while these identify the number of training courses run, workshops and seminars attended or organised, and publications and studies undertaken, it hasn't gone deeper - what were the justifications and impacts of these activities? What worked and what didn't work? Was it money well spent? Did the activities achieve anything? Are we really as good as we think we are?

The MRC recognised that in most cases the best way to assess and improve itself would be by monitoring activities as they are undertaken and assess their results once projects are completed. As a result, in 2007 the MRC began a process to introduce a results-based monitoring and evaluation system. In 2008, the MRC contracted a System Development and Implementation Team (SDIT) to assist with the establishment of the system.

Developing the results-based monitoring and evaluation system
The SDIT's work is being carried out using a consultative approach with the MRC programmes and stakeholders. It is anticipated it will deliver a first round of recomendation by the middle of 2009. Subject to a satisfactory completion of the first phase, a largely internally MRC-managed second phase will follow.

The value of this system is that it provides the MRCS with Performance Management Information as well as lesson learning (including on what works/what doesn't) and impact information that the organisation needs to improve its understanding of the constraints on enhanced regional coordination, better planning and use of information.

Getting down to the nitty gritty
During November/December 2008, the SDIT met and worked with MRC staff, relevant stakeholders and with two operational groups. The first was a reference group, consisting of four National Mekong Committee representatives that provided feedback on national expectations and promoted the work of the results-based monitoring system within their countries. The second operation group was a user group to provide advice and support, undertake quality control of the system development process, and review the progress being made in implementing the M&E System.

The development of the result based monitoring and evaluation system will initially work with five of the MRC programmes. If successful, it is anticipated that a second phase will allow for the results-based approach to be adopted across the MRC.

 

 

MRC on track

Two years into implementing its 2006- 2010 Strategic Plan, the Mekong River Commission is on track to achieving most of its key objectives says a report.

The Mid-Term Review, conducted by the Mekong River Commission, assessed the organisation's current progress against its 2006-2010 Strategic Plan. Eighty percent of the organisation's high priority projects are on track or have already achieved the goals set for them in the Plan.

The four key objectives set out in the Strategic Plan that the MRC must achieve by 2010 are:

1. To promote and support coordinated, sustainable and propoor development
2. To enhance regional cooperation
3. To strengthen effective regional cooperation
4. To strengthen the integrated Water Resources Management capacity and knowledge base of the MRC bodies and lines agencies and other stakeholders.

As the report points out, however, because the Strategic Plan lacks a monitoring and evaluation mechanism, the results cannot be quantified. Nonetheless, the review is extremely useful, highlighting areas where the MRC and its supporting partners still need to focus their efforts if the main goals of the Strategic Plan are to be achieved by the deadline.

Some of the key challenges facing MRC in its endeavors to carry out its mandate that were identified by the review included the failure of Member Countries to always cooperate with MRC initiatives; the bureaucratic nature of MRC processes, hampering its ability to respond quickly to needs as they arise; poor communication with stakeholders; and the MRC programmes failing to be integrated into or work in league with other regional activities. One of the issues of greatest concern identified by the stakeholders and review panel was the need to develop a monitoring and evaluation strategy. The MRC has taken this on board and an M&E process is now being established (see article "Judging and Learning; a Results-Based Approach").

The development of the Strategic Plan 2011-2015 also provides the opportunity to rectify many of the identified these problems and the panel recommended this be made a priority.

Jeremy Bird, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat, told Mekong News the organisation has already started implementing the recommendations of the review: "The review was an important step for the MRC. It has helped us identify key areas where we need to shift our focus so we can become a more successful organisation. Indeed, 2009 will be the year when we see the emergence of the 2011-2015 Strategic Plan, complete with a monitoring and evaluation system. And it is upon this which the MRC will build its future success."

 

 

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Up and coming riparians join new MRC training scheme

 

 

 

 

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UPCOMING: 7th Annual Mekong Flood Forum

Integreated flood risk management, a topic at the forum, can help to mitigation their negative
effects of flooding in the Mekong River Basin.

Integrated flood risk management in the Mekong River Basin, 13-14 May 2009, Bangkok, Thailand

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) will conduct the 7th Annual Mekong Flood Forum on 13-14 May 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme for the forum is 'Integrated flood risk management in the Mekong River Basin'.

The forum will raise awareness on the current state of flood risk management at the national and regional levels in the Mekong River Basin. It will also allow participants to discuss the progress of the various components of the Flood Management and Mitigation Programme (FMMP). These components are: the database systems and tools used for dissemination of the flood forecasting and early warning products; the development of guidelines for preparation of flood risk management plans and for evaluation of the impacts of flood risk management measures; the identification of potential transboundary issues for negotiation; mediation and conflict prevention; and the development of a regional flash flood early warning system. Activities in these areas are ongoing at the Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre of the Mekong River Commission (MRC-RFMMC) and the National Centres of the MRC member countries.

The forum will also provide an opportunity for participants to examine emerging needs of integrated flood risk management within the basin and to share the progress each country has made towards a holistic and balanced flood management plan.

This year's theme reflects the need for integrated approaches to flood risk management in the Mekong River Basin. Stakeholders from MRC member countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam), dialogue partners (China and Myanmar), donor agencies, MRC programmes, scientists from the Mekong Basin and the international community, international and national civil society organisations, and local communities are expected to join the forum.

The call for papers, expression of interest form and the tentative programme are available on the MRC website (www.mrcmekong.org)

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5th World Water Forum: Istanbul 2009 "Bridging Divides for Water"
16-22 March 2009, Istanbul, Turkey http://www.worldwaterforum5.org

World Water Week
25 March 2009, Bangkok, Thailand

29th Joint Committee Meeting
25-27 March 2009, Bangkok, Thailand
Email: siliphone@mrcmekong.org

7th MRC Annual Mekong Flood Forum
13-14 May 2009, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: (855)-23-425 353; Ext: 2091
Email: amff7@mrcmekong.org, or amff7. mrc@gmail.com
http://www.mrcmekong.org/MRC_news/7th-annual-mekong-flood-forum.htm

5th Dubrovnik Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems
30 September - 3 October, 2009, Dubrovnik, Croatia
http://www.sdewes.fsb.hr

 

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Information Products

Yield and value of the wild fishery of rice fields in Battambang Province, near the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia, June (Technical Paper No. 18) The contribution of rice field habitats to the wild fishery of the Lower Mekong Basin is often overlooked. As a result, the importance of the fish resource harvested from these habitats may be neglected in the process of planning the development of water resources. This omission can favour the intensification of rice production to the detriment of the wild fishery. This technical paper provides a comprehensive account of the rice field fishery in Battambang Province, Cambodia. The main objective was to quantify the yield and value of the rice field fishery in an area typical of rain-fed lowland, wet season rice production. The mean yield of the fishery is 119 kg/ha/season with a monetary value of US$102/ha. This value compares favourably with rice farming. The paper concludes that previously published estimates of the total fishery yield from Cambodian rice fields are based on unrealistically low values of yield per unit area and underestimates of the area of rice field habit. This has lead to a significant underestimate of the total national fishery yield from rice fields. June 2008. Hard Copy US$ 5.00 plus postage. Free download: http://www.mrcmekong.org/free_download/research.htm#tech		Catch & Culture Lao 2008 omnibus edition of Catch & Culture contains: Interview with MRC CEO, Jeremy Bird A historical overview of fisheries manage ment at Siphandone, Lao PDR Learning form Myanmar's inland fisheries- TAB study tour Trapping migrating catfish in channels at the Khone Falls Catfish processing in the Mekong delta ADB retires its fisheries policy Free (postage applies) Free download: http://www.mrcmekong.org/lao/free_download.htm
An assessment of water quality in the Lower Mekong Basin, November 2008 (MRC Technical Paper No 19) Water quality is one of the most important factors affecting the environmental health of the Mekong river system. In 1985, the MRC established the Water Quality Monitoring Network (WQMN). This paper presents an assessment of the water quality of the river system based on the measurements of a variety of physical and chemical parameters made at WQMN stations across the basin over the period 1985 – 2005. The paper defines water quality indexes and guidelines for the protection of human life, for human impact, and for agricultural use. Overall, the water quality of the Lower Mekong Basin is good, although there are signs of the significant human impact in the upper most part of the basin and downstream of Phnom Penh. Local water quality issues relating to salinity, acidification, and eutrophication are also discussed. The assessment provides a baseline from which to measure changes in the environmental health of the river system. September 2008. Hard copy: US$5.00 plus postage Free download: http://www.mrcmekong.org/free_download/research.htm#tech		Catch & Culture Latest edition in English is 14(3). contains: Hydropower consultation held in Vientiane in September 2008 Outcomes of the Expert Group meeting on dams as barriers to fish migration held in Vientiane in September 2008 Estimating the size of the migratory fish resource in the Mekong basin The possible impact of dam development on the Mekong giant catfish Floods and hydrology in the Mekong basin Establishment of the Tonle Sap Basin Management Authority Free (postage applies) Free download: http://www.mrcmekong.org/Catch-Culture/vol14_3Dec08/cc_vol14_3_Dec08_content.htm
For access to the latest reports and research on development issues, visit www.mekonginfo.org
How to order		Contact
All products can be ordered from the MRC Secretariat's Documentation Centre. Postage costs apply. Mekong region government agencies may write to the MRC to obtain free copies. Check the MRC website for a full list of products. Credit card sales are also accepted through the website, www.mrcmekong.org/publications/. Some products are available as free downloads.		Documentation Centre Mekong River Commission Secretariat P.O. Box 6101, 184 Fa Ngoum Road, Unit 18, Ban Sithane Neua, Sikhottabong District, Vientiane 01000, Lao PDR Open: Mon-Fri, 8:30 - 12:00, 13:30-14:30 Phone: (856 21) 263 263 ext: 1041 Fax: (856 21) 263 264 Email: doc.centre@mrcmekong.org Website: www.mrcmekong.org