Mekong Day 2026 Highlights Importance of Water Quality

Vientiane, Lao PDR, 4 April 2026 – The Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat marked Mekong Day 2026 with a renewed call for regional cooperation to protect water quality in the Mekong River. This year’s celebration brings together Member Countries, Dialogue and Development Partners, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, and youth under the theme “Together, protect water quality for shared prosperity.”

At its core, water quality goes far beyond the environment. The Mekong is one of the most biologically rich rivers in the world, home to approximately 1,148 fish species. Its inland fishery, among the largest globally, produces an estimated 2.3 million tonnes each year, valued at around USD 11 billion. When the river is affected, the impact is immediately felt on food and economic security, public health, livelihoods, and long-term prosperity of around 70 million people across the basin.

Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat, stressed this connection, “A change in water quality can lead to reduced fish population which affect income and food security. Pressures on livelihoods can affect communities. And over time, these impacts extend further, influencing public health, local economies, and the overall economic value that the river generates.”

She added that the issue is one of the priorities in the MRC Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which shifts the organisation towards more impact-focused basin management, stronger resilience, innovation, and finding practical results for communities.

Water quality needs urgent attention. The MRC has stepped up monitoring and emergency response efforts, while calling for closer transboundary cooperation among countries, including strengthened joint monitoring and early warning systems.

This shared effort is being reinforced by continued support from Development Partners. With the financial support of the governments of the United Kingdom and Japan, efforts have been strengthened to improve basin-wide water quality monitoring and emergency response.

Today’s celebration also marked key Development Partners’ continued support to the MRC. New Zealand’s continued contribution of NZD 5 million will help towards the implementation of the Basin Development Strategy 2021–2030, while Switzerland, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, is providing USD 4.125 million to advance the MRC Strategic Plan 2026–2030.

In parallel, the United Kingdom, through the Met Office, is supporting advanced forecasting and climate guidance systems with GBP 450,000, helping MRC Member Countries better anticipate and respond to climate risks. Meanwhile, Germany has been supporting the 9C–9T Transboundary Flood and Drought Management Initiative in Cambodia and Thailand, focusing on practical, nature-based solutions to reduce risks and build resilience for local communities.

Youth participation is also a key part of this year’s celebration. Through the “Mekong Youth Clean Water Challenge”, held from 30 March to 4 April in Luang Prabang and Vientiane, the MRC welcomed 20 university students from the four Mekong countries and involved them in learning directly about river sampling, laboratory analysis, and real data. Their upcoming findings and solutions will be presented, demonstrating that young people can take ownership and responsibility of our shared river, through active participation.

“Protecting the Mekong cannot be done by one generation. It requires the energy of young people, the leadership of today’s decision-makers, and the cooperation of all who share this river,” CEO Busadee concluded.

About the Mekong River Commission

The MRC is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1995 to boost regional dialogue and cooperation in the Lower Mekong River Basin. Based on the Mekong Agreement among Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam, the MRC serves as both a regional platform for water diplomacy and a knowledge hub – to manage water resources and support sustainable development of the region.

Note for the Editors