Publications related to Manuals

A Gender and Social Vulnerability Assessment Approach

The report on an approach for gender and social vulnerability assessment is a supporting tool – or a guiding note – to assist the MRC to conduct the gender and vulnerability assessment in the Lower Mekong Basin. While the approach focuses on floods, droughts, and extreme storm events for the MRC’s future application, the overall gender and vulnerability framework described in this report could be applied to water resource development in the Mekong. It describes the steps for calculating exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity components to determine an overall vulnerability score at the province level for each of the Mekong countries, which will shed light on possible strategies and measures to reduce vulnerability and achieve greater gender equality.

 

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.ajutos | Published on:08 Mar 2024 | Language: English

Assessment of fisheries yield in the Lower Mekong River Basin 2020

MRC conducts periodic assessments of fisheries yield in different regions of the Lower Mekong Basin ):MB) to inform policy decisions and understand trends in catches and the value of aquatic living resources over time. The assessments conducted in 2020 suggest that the annual finfish yield from the LMB falls within the range of 1.51 to 1.71 million tonnes, while the harvest of other aquatic animals (OAA) is approximately 443,000 tons. These findings reveal a considerable decline in catches, amounting to approximately 25-30%, compared to the assessments conducted in 2000 and 2010. The estimated value of the fish catch varies from USD 7.13 billion to USD 8.37 billion annually. In addition, the estimated value of the OAA harvest is approximately USD 1.13 billion.

Download | Published on:05 Feb 2024 | Language: English

Protocol for Monitoring Microplastics in Fish

With a recent study identified the Mekong River as one of ten rivers to contribute over 90% of plastic debris to the world’s marine environment, there is an urgent need for a reliable data and information on riverine plastic debris pollution and their impacts to the aquatic environment of Mekong River.  This Protocol for Monitoring Microplastic in Fihs has been developed and finalized as one of three protocols of the MRC’s Detailed Methodology for the Long-term and Cost-effective Monitoring of Riverine Plastic Debris Pollution in the Lower Mekong River Basin (LMB).  The finalization of the detailed methodology was made possible through the concerted efforts and commitment of the MRC Member Countries and support of experts at national, regional and global levels, and included rigorous processes of consultations, capacity building, and piloting to ensure that the methodology is adapted to the situation of the LMB.  The methodology aims to provide the much-needed data and information for an improved knowledge and understanding on the pathway and behaviors of plastic debris pollution in the LMB, from land-based sources to riverine environment, and ultimately to the marine environment.  Information derived from the long-term implementation of methodology can be used to assess the effectiveness of plastic waste management the LMB.

Download | Published on:01 Jan 2024 | Language: English

Protocol for Riverine Microplastics Monitoring

With a recent study identified the Mekong River as one of ten rivers to contribute over 90% of plastic debris to the world’s marine environment, there is an urgent need for a reliable data and information on riverine plastic debris pollution and their impacts to the aquatic environment of Mekong River.  This Protocol for Riverine Microplastic Monitoring has been developed and finalized as one of three protocols of the MRC’s Detailed Methodology for the Long-term and Cost-effective Monitoring of Riverine Plastic Debris Pollution in the Lower Mekong River Basin (LMB).  The finalization of the detailed methodology was made possible through the concerted efforts and commitment of the MRC Member Countries and support of experts at national, regional and global levels, and included rigorous processes of consultations, capacity building, and piloting to ensure that the methodology is adapted to the situation of the LMB.  The methodology aims to provide the much-needed data and information for an improved knowledge and understanding on the pathway and behaviors of plastic debris pollution in the LMB, from land-based sources to riverine environment, and ultimately to the marine environment.  Information derived from the long-term implementation of methodology can be used to assess the effectiveness of plastic waste management the LMB.

Download | Published on:01 Jan 2024 | Language: English

Technical Guidance for the Protection and Restoration of Key Fish Habitats of Regional Importance

The Technical guidance for the protection, restoration and improvement of key fish habitats of regional importance is a process that identifies the different levels of information, data collection and processing required, and presents critical decision levels to improve the conservation and sustainability of fish species, populations, communities, as well as OAAs, in the Lower Mekong River Basin. The Technical Guidance adopts the Drivers–Pressures –State –Impact–Response (DPSIR) approach to help users collect and interpret key information to identify the main issues, design, implement and monitor the most appropriate actions (i.e. follow the project cycle).

Download | Published on:28 Dec 2023 | Language: English

Technical Guidance for the Protection and Restoration of Key Fish Habitats of Regional Importance

The Technical guidance for the protection, restoration and improvement of key fish habitats of regional importance is a process that identifies the different levels of information, data collection and processing required, and presents critical decision levels to improve the conservation and sustainability of fish species, populations, communities, as well as OAAs, in the Lower Mekong River Basin. The Technical Guidance adopts the Drivers–Pressures –State –Impact–Response (DPSIR) approach to help users collect and interpret key information to identify the main issues, design, implement and monitor the most appropriate actions (i.e. follow the project cycle).

Download | Published on:28 Dec 2023 | Language: English

Protocol for Riverine Macroplastics Monitoring

With a recent study identified the Mekong River as one of ten rivers to contribute over 90% of plastic debris to the world’s marine environment, there is an urgent need for a reliable data and information on riverine plastic debris pollution and their impacts to the aquatic environment of Mekong River.  This Protocol for Monitoring Microplastic in Fish has been developed and finalized as one of three protocols of the MRC’s Detailed Methodology for the Long-term and Cost-effective Monitoring of Riverine Plastic Debris Pollution in the Lower Mekong River Basin (LMB).  The finalization of the detailed methodology was made possible through the concerted efforts and commitment of the MRC Member Countries and support of experts at national, regional and global levels, and included rigorous processes of consultations, capacity building, and piloting to ensure that the methodology is adapted to the situation of the LMB.  The methodology aims to provide the much-needed data and information for an improved knowledge and understanding on the pathway and behaviors of plastic debris pollution in the LMB, from land-based sources to riverine environment, and ultimately to the marine environment.  Information derived from the long-term implementation of methodology can be used to assess the effectiveness of plastic waste management the LMB.

Download | Published on:20 Dec 2023 | Language: English

Handbook on Mainstreaming Gender into the Mekong River Commission’s Core Functions and Activities: A Guidebook for a Gender-Responsive and Resilient Lower Mekong River Basin (Thai)

The Handbook for Gender Mainstreaming into the MRC Core Functions and Activities offers a supporting tool – or a guiding note – to assist the MRC to effectively integrate a gender perspective into all aspects of its work, from the development, update and application of strategic tools, procedures, normative guidelines, studies, and organizational strengthening to designing and advocating for joint actions. It also provides a working aid to integrate gender perspectives during the course of the BDS 2021–2030 and SP 2021-2025 implementation, and beyond

Download | Published on:30 Dec 2022 | Language: English

Handbook on Mainstreaming Gender into the Mekong River Commission’s Core Functions and Activities: A Guidebook for a Gender-Responsive and Resilient Lower Mekong River Basin (Lao)

The Handbook for Gender Mainstreaming into the MRC Core Functions and Activities offers a supporting tool – or a guiding note – to assist the MRC to effectively integrate a gender perspective into all aspects of its work, from the development, update and application of strategic tools, procedures, normative guidelines, studies, and organizational strengthening to designing and advocating for joint actions. It also provides a working aid to integrate gender perspectives during the course of the BDS 2021–2030 and SP 2021-2025 implementation, and beyond

Download | Published on:30 Dec 2022 | Language: English

Handbook on Mainstreaming Gender into the Mekong River Commission’s Core Functions and Activities: A Guidebook for a Gender-Responsive and Resilient Lower Mekong River Basin (Khmer)

The Handbook for Gender Mainstreaming into the MRC Core Functions and Activities offers a supporting tool – or a guiding note – to assist the MRC to effectively integrate a gender perspective into all aspects of its work, from the development, update and application of strategic tools, procedures, normative guidelines, studies, and organizational strengthening to designing and advocating for joint actions. It also provides a working aid to integrate gender perspectives during the course of the BDS 2021–2030 and SP 2021-2025 implementation, and beyond

Download | Published on:30 Dec 2022 | Language: English

© 2024 Mekong River Commission

Mr. Yasunobu Matoba

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Dr. Olivier Cogels

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Mr. Kristensen Joern

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Mr. Jeremy Douglas BIRD

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Mr. Hans Joakim GUTTMAN

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Mr. Pham Tuan Phan

First Riparian Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat

Dr. An Pich Hatda

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat