The 4th Mekong River Commission Summit is a high-level political event to strengthen relations among countries in the Mekong sub-region and draw support from international organizations, dialogue partners, development partners, and donors.
 Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone greets Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to attend the 4th Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit. (photo: VGP/Nhat Bac) |
Mekong River Commission – a forum on water diplomacy and regional cooperation
The Mekong River Commission was established by the Agreement on Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin signed on April 5, 1995, by Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The main objective of the MRC is to promote cooperation among member countries in sustainable use, development, and protection of water and related resources in the Mekong River Basin.
In current cooperation frameworks for the Mekong River Basin, the MRC is the only organization with the function of developing legal frameworks, including binding regulations for member countries on fair and reasonable sharing of water resources and jointly protecting the ecological environment of the river.
Over the last 30 years, with active financial contributions by member states, donor countries, and international organizations, the MRC has achieved many positive results, contributing to member countries’ development and strengthening cooperation in building regulations on water use, environmental management, water transport links, agricultural and aquatic production, and expanding cooperation with upstream countries China and Myanmar (currently a dialogue partner of the MRC) and other international partners.
The Committee plays an important role in the socio-economic development and environmental protection of member states as well as friendly relations among regional countries.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (photo: VGP/Nhat Bac) |
Vietnam’s contribution to the MRC
Located on the lower Mekong River and suffering increasingly serious impacts from upstream development activities and climate change, Vietnam values the Mekong River Commission’s strict legal basis, long-term and stable institutional structure, and developed mechanism for water cooperation in the Mekong River Basin.
The MRC is an important regional forum that helps Vietnam protect its water and related resources in the Mekong Delta and national water security in general. Vietnam has consistently taken the lead in the cooperation mechanism, called on other members to contribute to the effective implementation of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, and complied with the provisions of the Mekong River Commission.
Vietnam has realized its political commitments and active role in MRC activities and forums at all levels in all fields through initiatives, financial contributions, data sharing, and expertise.
Vietnam has taken the lead in improving the image and role of the MRC at global forums, praised the spirit of solidarity among members, contributed to regional stability and cooperation, paid attention to the legal interest of MRC countries, and promoted cooperation with upstream countries China and Myanmar. The Vietnamese government has signed the Mekong Delta Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. At the 4th MRC Summit Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will discuss with other partners challenges and opportunities for the development of the Mekong Delta.