Vientiane, Lao PDR, 7 March 2025 – The Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the Government of Japan signed an agreement to support the implementation of the Project for Strengthening Flood and Drought Risk Management in the Lower Mekong Basin. The agreement marks a significant step in advancing regional efforts to mitigate climate-related disasters and enhance water resource management across Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In the signing ceremony, the MRC was represented by Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, CEO of the MRC and the Government of Japan was represented by H.E. Mr. KOIZUMI Tsutomu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Lao PDR.

Under this agreement, the Government of Japan will provide a grant of seven hundred and twenty-five million Japanese Yen (¥725,000,000) to the MRC. This financial support will contribute to improved monitoring, forecasting, and response mechanisms to address the growing threats posed by floods and droughts in the Mekong region. This Agreement constitute Phase III of the continued implementation of this important project.

“Based on a long-standing trust, the Government of Japan remains committed to supporting the Mekong region in building resilience against climate change,” said H.E. Mr. KOIZUMI Tsutomu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Lao PDR. “Through this partnership with MRC, we aim to strengthen early warning systems for local people, improve predictions and data-sharing mechanisms, and enhance regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and water resource management.”

The Mekong River Basin faces increasingly complex hydrological challenges, with droughts affecting upstream areas and severe flooding impacting downstream communities, particularly during the rainy season. The MRC plays a significant role in monitoring these extreme events, issuing early warnings, and coordinating responses to mitigate their impacts. With climate variability intensifying, Japan’s support will help the MRC enhance its forecasting capabilities and improve regional cooperation to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience.

“The signing of this agreement comes at the right time, reinforcing the continued strong partnership between MRC and Japan in addressing climate and water-related challenges in the Mekong Basin,” said Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, CEO of MRC Secretariat. “It is about turning warning into action. With Japan’s contribution, we will pioneer cutting-edge solutions to safeguard our river’s health and the Mekong River communities as well as invest in a sustainable future for the Mekong River Basin.”

About the Mekong River Commission

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.

-END-

For more information, please contact:

Ms Mao Chandaly

Communication Officer for Press
Mekong River Commission Secretariat
Email: chandaly@mrcmekong.org

###