Status and Trends of Fish Abundance and Diversity in the Lower Mekong Basin during 2007–2018

The report is the first ever large-scale study to consider both spatial and temporal variations of fish abundance and diversity in the LMB, using the MRC’s long-term fisheries monitoring data. The monitoring was conducted daily between 2007 and 2018 by professional fishers at 38 stations along the Mekong mainstream and its major tributaries. But only 25 sites were selected for the study due to incomplete data. Eleven of the 25 monitoring stations were in Cambodia, four in Lao PDR, and five each in Thailand and Viet Nam. The study found 617 fish species, belonging to 21 order and 80 families in the LMB from 2007 to 2018. Some 37,530,460 individuals, corresponding to 1,095,848 Kg of fishes were collected. Temporally, both fish diversity and catch have increased during the survey period in the Tonle Sap and the Mekong upstream in southern Laos and Thailand, informing the high diversity of these areas and that sampling effort is still growing.

Social Impact Monitoring and Vulnerability Assessment (SIMVA) 2018

Report on 2018 baseline survey of the Lower Mekong mainstream and floodplain areas

SIMVA 2018 is the third survey of its type and was conducted in the same sites and used the same methods of collecting primary household and village data, as the SIMVA 2014 and 2011 exercises. Covering 2,800 households in 200 villages the 2018 survey shows that communities in the Mekong mainstream corridor were still dependent on the river resources for their livelihoods, income, and well-being. As such, they are still vulnerable to changes in the Mekong water resources. However, their overall dependency has decreased with other, non-water resources-related livelihood activities playing increasingly important roles. From 2014 to 2018 the percentage of households engaging in fishing decreased across the region from 50% to approximately 37%. The study also indicates growing incidence of flooding, possibly as a result of climate change and other factors, including water infrastructure development. Government support in livelihood diversification and disaster coping strategies is essential and there is much room for improvement in this regard.

Completion Report for the MRC Strategic Plan 2016–2020

Achievements the Completion Report 2016–2020 presents the MRC’s key

Achievements in terms of the completion of outputs, the achievements of outcomes and financial performance during the five-year implementation of the MRC Strategic Plan 2016–2020 and its Annual Work Plans. It also includes the lessons learned from that period, and how they formed the basis of the next planning cycle – the Basin Development Strategy 2021–2030 and the MRC Strategic Plan 2021–2025.

Mekong Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management for Environmental Assets of Regional Importance 2021–2025

The Mekong Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management for Environmental Assets of Regional Importance (SBEM) is a cooperative regional strategy to protect environmental and ecological assets, including those providing ecosystem services in the basin. It provides an opportunity to implement a cooperative strategy where capacity can be built, and best management practices and information can be shared. Ultimately, the SBEM will establish a permanent regional network of environmental assets of regional importance within the LMB, which will be protected and managed for generations to come.

Project-based Action Plan for Implementing the Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management for Environmental Assets of Regional Importance 2021–2025

This report provides practical guidance to Member Countries and partners on implementing the strategic priorities and actions of the Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management through a coordinated approach. It describes a set of 13 projects forming a coherent work programme across the 12 priority environmental assets of regional importance. The report includes a sustainable funding strategy for Member Countries and the MRC to pursue, an outline of the governance, roles and responsibilities, risk management and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements.

Technical Guidelines on the Implementation of the Procedures for Water Quality

The Technical Guidelines facilitates the implementation of the Procedures for Water Quality (PWQ) – one of the five Mekong Agreement’s Procedural Rules. The objective of the PWQ is to “establish a cooperative framework for the maintenance of acceptable/good water quality to promote the sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin.”

Summary of Minutes of the 50th Meeting of the MRC Joint Committee

1 October 2020, Vientiane, Lao PDR

MRC Annual Report 2019 Part 1

Progress and Achievements

The Annual Report covers the key achievements and progress of the Mekong River Commission for 2019, the fourth year of implementation of the MRC Strategic Plan (MRC SP) 2016-2020.

Summary State of the Basin Report 2018

The State of Basin Report (SoBR) is a flagship product and an integral part of the MRC’s strategic planning cycle. Prepared every five years, the report assesses conditions within the basin and the impacts that development and use of the water and related natural resources are having. It is a basis for the Member Countries and other key stakeholders to discuss and determine appropriate actions for ensuring sustainable development of the Mekong basin.

State of the Basin Report 2018

The State of Basin Report (SoBR) is a flagship product and an integral part of the MRC’s strategic planning cycle. Prepared every five years, the report assesses conditions within the basin and the impacts that development and use of the water and related natural resources are having. It is a basis for the Member Countries and other key stakeholders to discuss and determine appropriate actions for ensuring sustainable development of the Mekong basin.