Vietnam actively co-operates to ensure water security in Mekong River

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is set to attend the fourth Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit on April 5 in Vientiane, Laos, at the invitation of his Laotian counterpart Sonexay Siphandone.

The MRC represents an intergovernmental organisation that works with the governments of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam to manage the shared water and related resources of the Mekong river for the overall sustainable development of the Mekong region. It was originally founded under the Mekong Agreement in 1995, building on previous ties of co-operation through the Mekong Committee established back in 1957.

As a country based in the lower basin of the Mekong river, Vietnam has proved to be an active and responsible member of the commission. Indeed, it has expanded co-operation with the other member countries and international partners to promote the effective use of water resources and related resources of the Mekong River, thereby contributing to the nation's socio-economic development, especially its Mekong Delta.

The PM's attendance at the event demonstrates the country's responsibility and commitment to the MRC, as well as highlighting the nation’s special interest in the stable and sustainable development of the Mekong River basin. In addition, it affirms the country’s efforts and contributions for the effective use and sustainable management of the Mekong river's water resources for the benefits of the people in the basin, towards achieving sustainable development.

Opening with the theme of “Innovation and Cooperation for a Water Secure and Sustainable Mekong”, the conference focuses on discussing orientations and directions related to the development and management in the Mekong river basin. In addition, it seeks to outline agreements and plans to achieve the outcomes of the Mekong River Basin Development Strategy in the 2021 to 2030 period.

The event will bring together the Prime Ministers of MRC member countries, representatives of the dialogue partners of the commission, namely China and Myanmar, as well as those from development partners, regional and international organisations, social organisations, and the communities in the region.

Participants will adopt the Vientiane Joint Statement, which seek to will evaluate achievements made by the regional countries over recent years, analyse and assess challenges and opportunities for co-operation within the commission; and set out orientations for future collaboration.

In an interview with a VOV resident reporter in Laos, Dr. Aloulak Kittikhoun, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat, said the theme “Innovation and Cooperation for a Water Secure and Sustainable Mekong” was chosen because the Mekong river is facing numerous challenges due to climate change, as well as human intervention.

“In the next four years, we need to focus on innovation in managing the Mekong River and not only rely on traditional measures as before, but we need to change, especially in terms of policy, technology and management methods. All these issues we need to discuss at the Summit with member states to find a solution and make appropriate decisions for the coming years,” said Dr. Kittikhoun.

In recent years, with its position as a country in the lower Mekong river, Vietnam remains an active and responsible member of the commission, promoting links with other MRC member countries and international partners in order to increase the efficiency of using water and related resources of the Mekong river. This will ultimately contribute to the socio-economic development of the country and especially of the Mekong Delta region as a whole.

Vietnam attends the fourth Summit amid deep international integration and secured politics, security, and defence. With economic growth of recorded 8.02% in 2022, the Prime Minister has approved the Master Plan for the Mekong Delta in the 2021 to 2030 period with a vision towards 2050.

In addition, the Mekong Delta also faces economic, social, and environmental challenges, all of which require the nation to continue bolstering co-operation at the MRC.