Luang Prabang, 28 January 2024 – The Republic of Indonesia and the Mekong River Commission (MRC) have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, initiating their collaboration on sustainable development, climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, and water resource management.

Under the MoU, Indonesia and the MRC aim to enhance the exchange of views, experiences, and best practices in addressing water-related challenges, and promoting sustainable water resource management.

The collaboration will focus on capacity building, technical expertise exchange, and program implementation in various areas, including water resource management, irrigation, climate change resilience, disaster risk management, sustainable inland fisheries, water-related Sustainable Development Goals, and tourism.

Mrs. Siti Nugraha Mauludiah, the Director General for Information and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia expressed that “Indonesia recognizes the importance of the Mekong river basin to the Mekong countries and broader ASEAN region and the critical role of the Mekong River Commission in promoting cooperation in developing shared water resources of Southeast Asia’s largest river.”

“We highly appreciate the interest of Indonesia in working with and supporting the MRC’s mandate and mission,” said Dr. Anoulak Kittikhoun, Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat, emphasizing the MRC’s commitment to sharing expertise and learning from Indonesia’s valuable experiences and successful lessons. “As the knowledge hub of the region, the MRC is proud to contribute to strengthening Mekong and ASEAN regional cooperation in sustainable water development and management.”

Indonesia is the first non-Mekong country within ASEAN to sign an MoU with the Mekong River Commission. The signing ceremony took place during the Retreat of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, with the presence of H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR, as the Chair of ASEAN 2024, and H.E. Retno L.P. Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia.

For more information, please contact:

Indonesia: Ms. Yomi Ayu Lestari, Deputy Director (Asia and Pacific Region), Directorate of International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Email: yomi@kemlu.go.id

MRC: Ms. Le Thi Huong Lien, Communication Officer for Outreach | Email: lien@mrcmekong.org