2 International efforts to coordinate Mekong water development started in 1920s – Series of international agreements mainly for navigation and boundary delimitation Birth of Mekong Cooperation

ECAFE (ESCAP) created Bureau of Flood Control to study Mekong – Initial emphasis on flood control in Mekong Delta ECAFE studies highlighted great potential of Mekong for irrigation, hydropower, navigation, fisheries – began field studies during 1950's

4 Mekong Committee 1957 Effective development of the river would require unity of purpose among the four nations of Lower Mekong – "Mekong Spirit" - giving priority to the development and progress of the whole basin, over national interest ECAFE established Mekong Committee 1957 – "formulation, investigation, coordination, supervision and control of water resources development plans for the LMB" – Under auspices of UNDP and ECAFE – National Mekong Committees in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Viet Nam (China, Burma not included)

5 Mekong Committee Report on Development of Water Resources in LMB – proposed 4 mainstream dams and weir on Tonle Sap Wheeler Report (1958) – Importance of information on hydrology, climate, topography, geology as well as fisheries, irrigation, mineral resources, power markets, floods White Report (1962) – Need for consideration of social and economic aspects of proposed developments - not just technical aspects

6 Mekong Committee Hydrological - meteorological network est Extensive studies through 1960's – "gather sufficient data to permit adequate planning"

Indicative Basin Plan Comprehensive 2 stage development plan Short range plan ( ) focused on tributary projects to meet national needs Long range plan ( ) proposed cascade of large dams on mainstream for regional development

's 's Dam development on tributaries underway – Yali 1965; Nam Ngum 1971;Ubol Ratana 1965, Nam Pung 1966, Sirindhorn 1970, Chulaphon 1972 Conflict in the region prevented further implementation

9 Interim Mekong Committee Joint Declaration of Principles for Utilization of the Waters of the LMB – Legal framework for cooperation 1975: Cambodia withdrew from Mekong Committee Thailand, Lao PDR and Viet Nam formed Interim Mekong Committee

10 Revised Indicative Plan Interim Mekong Committee published Revised Indicative Plan – More conservative plan, but retained mainstream dams – Concerns about large dam projects restricted international funding

11 Mekong River Commission Mekong River Commission 1991 Cambodia asked to rejoin 1992 – search for new agreement framework – Rise of ASEAN as regional framework – Increased economic development of region – China launched construction of Manwan Dam April signing of Mekong Agreement established Mekong River Commission – international organisation (4 countries) – reports to Council of Ministers – Joint Committee and National Mekong Committees

12 MRC Organisational Structure JOINT COMMITTEE (Members at level of Head of Department or higher) COUNCIL (Members at Ministerial and Cabinet Level) National Mekong Committee Secretariats NATIONAL MEKONG COMMITTEES (NMC) (Member Agencies) DONOR CONSUL- TATIVE GROUP (Donor countries and cooperating institutions) Government of Cambodia Government of Laos Government of Thailand Government of Vietnam Mekong River Com- mission Secretariat

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14 Goals of the Mekong Agreement Equitable sharing of Mekong water Maintaining ecological balance Social and economic well-being Cooperation and interdependent growth Balanced development, based on understanding of the resource

Agreement and sustainable development Four countries agreed to: “Cooperate.. in the sustainable development, utilisation, management and conservation of the Mekong River Basin water and related resources” Framework agreement which sets out principles, not details

Mekong Agreement - Articles 1. Areas of cooperation all water related sectors, including but not limited to irrigation, hydropower, navigation, flood control, fisheries, timber floating, recreation and tourism 2. Projects, Programs and Planning Basin Development Plan 3. Protection of environment and ecological balance

Mekong Agreement - Articles 4. Sovereign equality and territorial integrity 5. Reasonable and equitable use Rules for water utilization and inter-basin diversion 6. Maintenance of flow on mainstream Guidelines for locations and levels of flows, monitoring

Mekong Agreement - Articles 7. Prevention of harmful effects notification of damage 8. State Responsibility for damages conforming with international law 9. Freedom of navigation 10. Emergency situations

19 MRC Council activities 2000 Procedures for data and information sharing 2001 Agreement for exchange of data with China 2002 Preliminary procedures for notification Flood management and mitigation strategy

20 Planned activities Procedures for water use monitoring Rules for water sharing Rules for maintenance of minimum flows Rules for water quality Basin development plan

21 Can Tho