Vientiane, Lao PDR, 10 October 2024 — Viet Nam’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Do Duc Duy has called for enhanced efforts in disaster preparedness, renewable energy research, and deeper regional cooperation during his first official visit to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat Headquarters in Vientiane today. His visit, coinciding with the ASEAN Summits in Lao PDR, underscores Viet Nam’s continued commitment to Mekong cooperation and the sustainable management of the river’s resources.

Meeting with MRC Secretariat CEO Anoulak Kittikhoun, Minister Do, who is also a member of the MRC Council for Viet Nam, spoke highly of the MRC’s role as a regional water diplomacy platform and knowledge hub. He commended the collaboration between Mekong countries on data sharing and consultations on major hydropower projects, noting the region’s ability to collectively tackle challenges despite differing national interests.

“The Mekong River connects us all, and managing it sustainably requires stronger cooperation. While our progress in data sharing is promising, we must also focus stronger on enhancing disaster preparedness and exploring renewable energy options to build resilience,” Minister Do said, laying down several key recommendations.

He urged the MRC Secretariat to support Member Countries in improving their capacity to forecast and mitigate natural disasters, especially following Typhoon Yagi, which affected Viet Nam and neighbouring countries. Strengthening connections between the MRC Secretariat and national forecasting centers, he noted, is crucial to reducing flood risks and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events.

Minister Do also stressed the need for better monitoring of hydrometeorology, sediment transport, fisheries, and ecological systems. He called for international support to expand these monitoring networks and to enhance data sharing on hydropower operations to understand about and reduce environmental and social impacts.

On Funan Techo Canal project, Minister Do appreciated the MRC’s technical support. He urged continued information sharing and called for further research to assess potential impacts while promoting cross-country cooperation to minimize any negative effects.

Minister Do concluded by urging greater cooperation with upstream countries such as China and Myanmar to ensure whole-of-basin sustainable management of the Mekong River’s resources.

Dr Kittikhoun welcomed the Minister’s recommendations and reiterated the MRC Secretariat’s continued commitment to addressing these pressing issues.

“On major infrastructure projects, the MRC has always practiced a cooperative approach, one that should unite and not divide countries. On disaster management, strengthening monitoring and modelling and moving towards joint forecasting and notifications are the way forward,” the CEO said.

Minister Do’s visit reinforces Viet Nam’s commitment to advancing Mekong Basin cooperation amid growing environmental challenges. The MRC’s role in managing transboundary water issues remains critical for the millions of people who depend on the Mekong River for their livelihoods.

Note to Editors:

The MRC is an intergovernmental organization 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.

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