The Mekong River Commission (MRC) members issued a joint declaration at the end of the first MRC Summit held in Hua Hin, Thailand on April 5, pledging enhanced cooperation in a bid to protect the Mekong River's natural ecosystems and ecological balance.
"Further cooperation over the coming years between the governments of member countries will be required to optimise multiple-use of water resources and mutual benefits for all riparians, to avoid any harmful effect that might result from natural occurrences and man-made activities and to protect the immense value of natural ecosystems and ecological balance", the declaration said.
The declaration acknowledged the progress made to extend cooperation between the MRC and international, regional and local partners including MRC's Dialogue Partners, namely China and Myanmar as well as its Development Partners.
Action plans are essential for the member countries to implement in order to reduce the loss of life and assets at risk from flooding and loss of livelihoods from drought conditions -- the critical emerging challenges, the declaration stressed.
The declaration guarantees that MRC member countries will cooperate to ensure effective management of water for agricultural production, particularly as part of drought management strategies, and focus on researching and addressing the threat to livelihood posed by climate change and cooperating with other regional partners in addressing haze pollution.
Among MRC’s top priorities are intensified efforts to effectively reduce the risks from flood, drought, and sea level rise, including the establishment of forecast and warning systems, it said.
MRC, which includes Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, agreed to hold its summit every four years./.
"Further cooperation over the coming years between the governments of member countries will be required to optimise multiple-use of water resources and mutual benefits for all riparians, to avoid any harmful effect that might result from natural occurrences and man-made activities and to protect the immense value of natural ecosystems and ecological balance", the declaration said.
The declaration acknowledged the progress made to extend cooperation between the MRC and international, regional and local partners including MRC's Dialogue Partners, namely China and Myanmar as well as its Development Partners.
Action plans are essential for the member countries to implement in order to reduce the loss of life and assets at risk from flooding and loss of livelihoods from drought conditions -- the critical emerging challenges, the declaration stressed.
The declaration guarantees that MRC member countries will cooperate to ensure effective management of water for agricultural production, particularly as part of drought management strategies, and focus on researching and addressing the threat to livelihood posed by climate change and cooperating with other regional partners in addressing haze pollution.
Among MRC’s top priorities are intensified efforts to effectively reduce the risks from flood, drought, and sea level rise, including the establishment of forecast and warning systems, it said.
MRC, which includes Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, agreed to hold its summit every four years./.
