The US Deputy Assistance Secretary for East Asia and Pacific, Scot Marciel has recently reaffirmed the US’s efforts to boost cooperation with regional countries, especially along the Mekong River , including Vietnam.

Mentioning a report on Mekong river issues released by Washington-based Stimson centre, Marciel, who is also Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs, said the US has exerted itself to improve bilateral relations with South East Asian countries, especially four Mekong river downstream nations, including Vietnam , Laos , Cambodia and Thailand , over the past 15-20 years.

He said the Mississippi River Commission and the Mekong River Commission are cooperating on a project to support countries in the region to learn experience from the US in river management and that the “Mekong river programme is implementing with the support of the US Meteorological Service.

The US is providing scientific and hydrographic data to help the countries cope with the impacts of climate change, he said./.