Twenty-Fifth Meeting of the MRC Council                                                         

SESSION 2: Joint Meeting with the Twenty-Third                                                       

Development Partner Consultative Group

Mekong River Commission                                                                             

28 November 2018

Ha Long City, Viet Nam

Statement By H.E Mr. Lim Kean Hor

Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology

Chairman of Cambodia National Mekong Committee

Member of MRC Council for Cambodia

 

Excellency Dr. Tran Hong Ha,

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chairman of Viet Nam National Mekong Committee Member of the MRC Council for Viet Nam Chairman of the MRC Council for 2018

Excellency Mr. Sommad Pholsena,

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chairman of Lao National Mekong Committee Member of the MRC Council for Lao PDR

Miss Wanthanee Vipuwongsakul,

Charge d’ Affaires

Royal Thai Embassy in Viet Nam Head of Delegation of Thailand

Excellency Mr. Le Cong Thanh

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vice Chairman of Viet Nam National Mekong Committee Alternate Member of the MRC Council for Viet Nam

Excellency Mr. Dang Huy Hau

Vice-Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh Province

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great honour indeed to lead the Delegation of Cambodia to attend the Joint Twenty-fifth Council and Twenty-third Development Partner Consultative Group Meeting organized in Ha Long City, Viet Nam. On behalf of Delegation of Cambodia, I would like to express my sincere thanks for Vietnamese side for their warmest hospitality extended to our Delegation and excellent arrangements made for the Meetings.

Like before, we are gathering at this annual event to review the MRC work progress made for 2018 and to provide further strategic guidance and approve some key documents for the coming year to ensure further productive progress at the higher outcomes in our joint mission for the sustainable development of Mekong River Basin.

Cambodia highly appreciated the significant work accomplishment and achievements made for the Commission for 2018 under the wise and capable leadership of Excellency Dr. Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Chairman of Viet Nam National Mekong Committee, Member of the MRC Council for Viet Nam and Chairperson of the MRC Council for 2018.

Taking this opportunity, Cambodia would like to express our sincere thanks to all parties concerned, internally and externally for their effective support and contribution to the work of the MRC. Cambodia does hope that our development partners as well as other partners will continue their journey with the MRC and Member Countries towards the achievement of economically prosperous, socially just and environmentally sound Mekong River Basin.

I would like also to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Pham Tuan Phan, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat for his great effort in leading and managing the MRC Secretariat to have better and more effective operation. I wish Dr. Phan a great success in his new career after the completion of his term with the MRC Secretariat.

At this time, I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Excellencies MRC Council Chairman and fellow MRC Council Members for your kind support to the selected Cambodian candidate for the position of the MRCS CEO for the next term to continue to lead the MRCS as the administrative and technical arm for the Commission in undertaking its mission towards the sustainable management and development of water and related resources in the Mekong River Basin.

Mr. Chairperson,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

MRC has undertaken the mid-term review for the implementation of the MRC Strategic Plan 2016-2020, consulted with relevant stakeholders at various levels, nationally and regionally. It is my firm belief that the mid-term review has found out what good and what not good for the Commission in the past implementation and recommend strategic priorities and focus for future improvement towards the achievements of the set outcomes in the current Strategic Plan and for the future betterment in MRC work and operation.

It comes no doubt that the development in the basin continues to increase obviously now and in the future. Within this context associated with the emerging climate change facing, it will pose continued pressures and threats to the Basin’s shared resources and their future sustainability. Additionally, it is observed currently there are many existing regional and international initiatives are operational and some others newly established dealing with the Mekong-related agenda in the Mekong region.

In such circumstance, well-coordinated efforts and concerted development based on the complementary approach among those initiatives are seen critically important and needed and they should be promoted jointly for the overall interest of shared prosperity and future in the region

 

Mr. Chairperson,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

The Leaders of the Mekong countries met at the 3rd MRC Summit in April 2018 in Siem Reap, Cambodia and issued the Siem Reap Declaration, spelled out the priority area of actions requiring attentions for immediate action. This is our shared responsibility to ensure the effective and successful implementation of the Siem Reap Declaration towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Mekong River Basin.

More significant challenges ahead still remain for the MRC and the Basin and in order to jointly address the challenges for common concerns and interests efficiently and effectively, we the MRC, the Member Countries and relevant Partners have to continue to work together at a higher commitment through our stronger joint efforts and closer partnership and collaboration in a sustainable fashion. Our sustainable future in the Basin is our shared responsibility.

Cambodia stands ready to continue to work and cooperate closer with all partners to ensure the more effective implementation of the 1995 Mekong Agreement and the Siem Reap Declaration, aiming at bringing about more success to a higher outcome for MRC work and mission for the sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin.

 

Thank you.