Welcome Aboard: Meet Our New Division Directors for 2025–2028

Mr. Yasunobu Matoba

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

“From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Yasunobu Matoba, a Japanese national, was appointed as the CEO of the MRC Secretariat.

Mr. Yasunobu has an extensive career in agricultural and irrigation with various roles ranging from project planning, implementation, and supervision to personnel administration. He has worked in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. ”

Prior to his tenure at the MRC Secretariat, he held the position of Director at the Construction Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), where he oversaw various agricultural projects, including those for agricultural production, land and water resource conservation, and the maintenance of water and land use facilities.

Before that, he held several key positions, including Director of the Overseas Operations Department at the Japan Agricultural Land Development Agency (JALDA) in 1992-1993, Director of the Planning

Department at the Hokuriku Regional Agricultural Administration Bureau from 1990 to 1992, and Deputy Director in the Agricultural Administration Department of Kumamoto Prefecture from 1988 to 1990, where he managed land improvement projects.

In terms of education, Yasunobu holds a Bachelor of Agriculture in irrigation, drainage, and reclamation engineering, and rural planning from the University of Tokyo, which he obtained in 1967.

Mr. Jeremy Douglas BIRD

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

“From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Jeremy, a British national, was appointed as the CEO of the MRC Secretariat.

Mr. Jeremy combines his experience at the strategy and policy level with a solid practical background across multiple facets of water resources, including regulatory processes, conceptual design of water resources infrastructure, river basin management, irrigation, disaster risk management, knowledge generation, development finance, and stakeholder engagement.”

Mr. Jeremy’s tenure as the CEO of the MRC Secretariat was marked by significant responsibilities and accomplishments, such as developing an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Strategy for the Basin and organizing the First MRC Summit of Prime Ministers in 2010, which raised the profile of the MRC and provided a high level of oversight for its activities. He also developed closer relations with China, formulated the MRC Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative, and represented the MRC at numerous international conferences and meetings. His successful negotiations among member countries resulted in a permanent location for the Secretariat and administrative arrangements for establishing a co-hosted headquarters. Mr. Jeremy’s tenure saw the implementation of institutional and administrative reforms and a new direction for the 5-year strategy for the MRC, focusing on the core functions of river basin management.

Before taking office as CEO, Mr. Jeremy worked as an Independent Water Resources Advisor from 2003 to 2008, providing consulting services on water resources management to various organizations, such as the Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank, and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Prior to that, he served as a Coordinator and Team Leader for the Dams and Development Project (DDP) at the United Nations Environment Programme, which aimed to promote dialogue for improved decision-making in water resources infrastructure. He coordinated national multi-stakeholder processes to identify priority issues for policy reform in South Africa, Nepal, Thailand, and Viet Nam, involving numerous stakeholders. Moreover, he expanded their stakeholder forum to include over 100 diverse organizations, initiated dialogue with Chinese agencies, and organized international meetings.

Mr. Hans Joakim GUTTMAN

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

“From 2011 to 2015, Mr. Hans, a Swedish national, was appointed the CEO of the MRC Secretariat.  

With his expertise as coordinator/manager and rich experience with over 18 years in the field of water resources development and management for sustainable rural development. He is no stranger to the MRC or its vision, having served as the head of the Environment Programme for six years from 2001-2007. His extensive technical expertise and inside knowledge gained from living in the region for almost two decades enabled him to lead the MRC during a period of change and growth within the MRC.”

Before taking office as CEO, Mr. Hans held the position of Coordinator for the Wetlands Alliance (WA) Programme at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, where he led the strategic development by securing funding for WA, and guided nearly 50 local government agencies and NGOs. He ensured these agencies received implementation support and contributed to the broader goals of the Alliance. Prior to that, he served as the Head of the Environmental Programme at the MRC Secretariat for six years, from 2001 to 2007. There, he oversaw a US$2 million annual budget for the programme, coordinated with National Mekong Committees (NMCs) and other relevant national agencies, and advised senior management on environmental matters while representing the MRC in these areas.

Prior to his tenure at the MRC, he served as a Programme Specialist at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, where he managed rice field fisheries and other aquatic resource issues in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. He raised awareness about the importance of these resources, built capacity to manage them, and developed strategies for sustainable use.

Before this, he was a Special Advisor at Tha-Ngone Aquaculture Development (TAD) in Vientiane, Laos. He assisted the manager in running a fish farm with over 30 employees, by planning, training, and managing fish and prawn production. He also helped improve the administrative section’s work.

Academically, Mr. Hans holds a Master of Science in Aquaculture from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, where he was recognized for his thesis specialization in water quality, and a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology/Geography from James Cook University in North Queensland, Australia.

Scroll

	Mr. Kol Vathana Cambodian national Director, Technical Support Division (TD)
	Mr. Phetsamone Khanophet Lao national Director, Administration Division (AD)
	Mr. Theerawat Samphawamana Thai national Director, Environmental Management Division (ED)
	Mr. Nguyen Huy Phuong Vietnamese national Director, Planning Division (PD)

About

MRC Governance

MRC Secretariat

Working with Us

Our Work

Mekong IWRM Initiatives

News and Events

Connect with us

Events

Consultations

News

Multimedia

About

MRC Governance

MRC Secretariat

Working with Us

Our Work

Mekong IWRM Initiatives

News and Events

Connect with us

Events

Consultations

News

Multimedia