The 21 st meeting of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Council focusing on action orientations for 2015 commenced in Hanoi on January 15.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang, current Chairman of the MRC Vietnam and Chairman of the international MRC Council, presided over the meeting, which saw the participation of more than 20 delegations representing MRC members and strategic partners of the commission.

During the two-day event, participants will discuss the MRC budget for 2015, the progress on joint research on sustainable management and development of the Mekong River basin, and the advancements on consultations for the Don Sahong hydropower plant in Laos.

They will also review the development strategy for the Mekong River basin based on water resource management and draft the 2016-2020 MRC Council Strategy.

According to the MRC Vietnam, the meeting aims to implement commitments stipulated in the Ho Chi Minh City Declaration reached during the second MRC Summit last April.

Participants are also expected to approve the MRC Council budget and operation plans for 2015. During the event, the commission will also call for the support of development partners for its 2016-2020 activities.