The 8th MRC Regional Stakeholder Forum
Background information
Recognising the interests involved in the basin and the importance of a shared and informed understanding of different stakeholders’ perspectives, the MRC continues to implement various activities to strengthen relationships with a broad range of actors and players outside the national governments, including the private sector, civil society and academia, and other partners working in the Mekong region. One initiative to achieve this is the continuation of a mechanism for engaging broader stakeholders, every year, through the Regional Stakeholder Forums (RSF).
The RSF attempts to address mutual interests and concerns of both internal, the governments of the MRC Member Countries, and external stakeholders, non-government organisations (NGOs), the private sector, media, partners, and other interested groups. The RSF serves as a platform for the Member Countries and other relevant stakeholders to share information, and discuss, provide and exchange views and develop recommendations on the reasonable and equitable use of water and related resources in the lower Mekong Basin.
As decision-making processes on the management of water and related resources usually address multiple objectives, involve diverse interests, and have far-reaching effects, this multiple-dimensional approach is a cost-effective way to provide a platform that considers multiple relevant issues of interest to the public.
This 2-day 8th Regional Stakeholder Forum will feature 2 topics that meet public’s interest: (1) development of updated Basin Development Strategy 2021-2030 and Strategic Plan 2021-2025, as well promoting the State of Basin Report 2018 (a key input to the BDS) and results of Joint Research on extreme floods and droughts, and (2) the 1st Regional Information Sharing on Prior Consultation process for the proposed Luang Prabang Hydropower Project.
Forum objectives
This 2-day forum has two-fold objectives:
Day 1 of the Forum provides a platform for interested stakeholders to get update and engage in ongoing works at the MRC, with a focus on drafting Basin Development Strategy 2021-2030. This forum is held at the formulation step of the BDS aims to:
- Introduce roadmap of the BDS and MRC SP preparation including overall framework, scope, approach, mechanisms, processes, outputs, and activities and timeframe.
- Jointly review current and future conditions of the basin identified in the State of Basin Report, as well as prioritized issues of concerns to be managed within the basin
- Jointly review opportunities to promote sustainable development and strengthen management and increase regional and national benefits
- Share outcomes of MRC and other actors/stakeholders works and how they will be integrated in the update BDS
Day 2 of the Forum, the 1st Regional Information Sharing on the Luang Prabang Hydropower Prior Consultation Process, is a platform for regional multi-stakeholders to engage with MRC as an institution in discussion of specific hydropower development project. This 1st Regional Information Sharing meeting is for:
- Early information sharing
- Common understanding of PNPCA process and mandates
- Reaffirming stakeholder engagement in good faith and the enhanced MRC mechanism
- Soliciting of preliminary views on the project
- Gaining comments and suggestions on approach and methodology for Technical Review Report.
Participants
The forum is free of charge and open to all interested participants including
- MRC Member Countries
- MRC Development Partners
- MRC Dialogue Partners
- Research Institutes and Universities
- Other river basin organizations
- Civil society organizations and NGOs
- Local authorities and communities
- Private sector and companies
- Other interested groups
Date and venue
5-6 November, 2019
LAO PLAZA HOTEL, Vientiane, Lao PDR
This Admin Note provides participants with some useful information on transportation and accommodation.
There is a shuttle bus services (15,000 kip laos one-way ticket) operates between Wattay Airport and the Centre Bus station with stops at several hotels in the city center. Here is the map.
Publication display
Throughout the forum, there will be publication display on related topics. Other organizations are invited to display their work and experience. For further information and arrangement, please contact our colleague below.
Financial support
A limited financial support is available to assist participants from civil society and community-based organizations. In case you request for financial support, please provide information in the online registration form by 24 October 2019.
Registration
Please register by completing this online registration form. The deadline for registration is by 28 October 2019.
Concept note and Agenda
Please click Concept Note and Agenda
Online Stakeholder Comment Box
We have online stakeholder comment box to collect comments from stakeholders. The submitted comments will being proceed in the forum, we therefore would like to encourage participants / stakeholders to send us your advanced comments via this online box. All comments can be identified or anonymous.
Core documents
1. State of the Basin Report 2018
2. Joint Research on extreme floods and droughts
3. Concept Note of Basin Development Strategy 2021-2030 and MRC Strategic Plan 2021-2025
4. Working Document on PNPCA Commentary
5. MRCS Stakeholder interview mission 2018
7. Status update on Joint Environment Monitoring
8. Submitted documents of the proposed Luang Prabang Hydropower Project by Government of Lao PDR
9. Key features of the proposed Luang Prabang Hydropower Project
10. Draft roadmap for the proposed Luang Prabang Hydropower Project
11. Integration Framework: SDGs, SOB, BDS, IF, SP, CRBMF, WP
Presentations
DAY 1. Basin Development Strategy 2021-2030 and MRC Strategic Plan 2021-2025
1. MRC stakeholder engagement principles and mechanism for sustainable development
2. Overall strategic planning, monitoring and reporting framework
3. State of Basin Report: Environment, Social, Economic, Cooperation
4. Joint Research on extreme floods and droughts – Key findings and recommendations - (1) introduction, (2) comparative of droughts 2009-2010 and 2012-2013, (3) analysis of droughts 2015-2016, (4) analysis of the respective hydrological impacts of climate variability and hydropower operation
7. Basin conditions, trends and long-term outlook– Chapter 2 of the BDS
8. Strategic needs, risks and responses – Chapter 3 of the BDS
DAY 2. 1st Regional Information Sharing on Prior Consultation Process for LPB HPP
1. Overview of the PNPCA under the overall MRC procedural framework and the 1995 Mekong Agreement
3. Objectives and Roadmap for the Prior Consultation of the Luang Prabang Hydropower Project
5. Approach and methodology for assessment of the Luang Prabang Hydropower Project – (1) overview, (2) hydrology, (3) sediment, (4) water quality, environment & fisheries, (5) socio-economic issues, and (6) dam safety, (7) navigation
LIVESTREAM OF 8th FORUM
Day 1. Opening - Stakeholder engagement principles - State of Basin Report 2019
Day 1. Joint research on extreme floods and droughts
Day 1. Overview of BDS 2021-2030
Day 1. Parallel discussion reporting back & Summary of Day 1
Day 2. Objectives and Introduction of the LPB HPP
Day 2. Panel MRC Joint Committee Members and CEO
Day 2. Preliminary findings of LPB HPP Scoping Report
MRC Regional Stakeholder Forum #8 - Forum survey
Contact points
For logistics
Ms. Soukouman Viravong
Administration Assistant
Mekong River Commission Secretariat at Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel: + 856 21 263 263, ext. 4003
Email: soukouman@mrcmekong.org
For publication display
Ms. Le Thi Huong Lien
Communication Officer
Mekong River Commission Secretariat at Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel: +856 21 263 263, ext. 4012
Mobile: +856 20 7777 9168
Email: huonglien@mrcmekong.org
For participation and sponsorship
Ms. Duong Hai Nhu
Stakeholder Engagement Specialist
Tel: +856 21 263 263 ext. 4011
Mekong River Commission Secretariat at Vientiane, Lao PDR
Email: nhu@mrcmekong.org
