MRC No. 14/08
Vientiane, Lao PDR
27 August, 2008
Recent flooding and accelerating infrastructure development on the Mekong River were high on the agenda of discussions between the Member States of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) in Vientiane today. New initiatives, including the upcoming Regional Multi-Stakeholder Consultation of the MRC Hydropower Programme, Environmental Considerations for Sustainable Hydropower Development, and a new Drought Management Programme, were also deliberated at the 27th Meeting of the MRC Joint Committee.
Dr Saksit Tridech, Permanent Secretary to Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Joint Committee Chairman for 2008/2009, told participants that the MRC had reacted quickly and effectively in warning national agencies of the recent flooding in the Lao PDR and Thailand, and that the events had prompted much public discussion. He added that the MRC is conducting detailed analysis of this year’s flood season.
Dr Saskit was welcoming officials of the four Mekong River
Commission member countries, Cambodia, the Lao PDR, Thailand
and Viet Nam, together with representatives from observer
and partner organisations. MRC Joint Committee meetings
are held twice a year to discuss achievements and planned
work for the next six months. The Committee is responsible
for the implementation of the policies and decisions of
the MRC Council, and supervises the activities of the MRC
Secretariat.
For more information please contact:
Aiden Glendinning, Acting Communications Officer.
MRC Secretariat,
Tel: 856 21 263 263 Ext 4703
Fax: 856 21 263 264
Mobile: (856) 20 559 9139
Email: aiden@mrcmekong.org
Website: www.mrcmekong.org