Summary of MRC Hua Hin Declaration presented
by
H.E. the Prime Minister of Thailand
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates of Member Countries of the Mekong River Commission, MRC Dialogue Partners and Development Partners, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Prime Ministers of MRC Member Countries, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam and Thailand, I am honoured to present a Summary of the Declaration of the First Mekong River Commission Summit - to be known as the MRC Hua Hin Declaration.
Recalling the signing of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, we recognise that the sustainable management of water resources in the Mekong River Basin is crucial to the economic and social well-being of people of the Basin and to poverty alleviation efforts. We affirm our strong and continued commitment to cooperate and promote the sustainable development, utilisation, conservation and management of the Mekong Basin's water and related resources.
In relation to the significant achievements of the past 15 years, we recognise the increasing level of ownership from Member Countries has strengthened the cooperative governance of the MRC and its effectiveness as an independent knowledge-based River Basin Organisation. We applaud its approach of Integrated Water Resources Management. We appreciate the continued and increasing cooperation with its Dialogue Partners, particularly as seen in this current dry season, and the alliances with international organisations and the strategic support from MRC's Development Partners.
We acknowledge that there are both development opportunities and challenges to be faced over the next decade as our economies continue to grow and populations expand. We commit to cooperate further to tackle these through MRC's Strategic Plan for 2011-2015. We note that significant opportunities exist to intensify existing international and regional partnerships and we confirm a continued focus on active stakeholder participation.
In terms of priority areas of action, we highlight that further cooperation over the coming years will be required to optimise multiple-use of water resources and mutual benefits for all riparians, to avoid the risks of harmful effects that might result from natural occurrences and man-made activities, and to protect the immense value of the Basin's natural ecosystems. In doing so, we encourage MRC to further integrate climate change adaptation in its work and to expand cooperation with Dialogue Partners, Development Partners and other stakeholders. In this connection, we welcome other Riparian States to join the MRC in the future.
For the way ahead, we reaffirm our solidarity and the highest level of political commitment to the implementation of the Mekong Agreement. Furthermore, we commit to working together for sustainable development, economic growth and improvement of livelihoods. In parallel, we recognise that efforts need to be expanded to protect the natural resources of the Mekong Basin for the sustainable management and use of the Basin's resources.
Consistent with the Initiative for ASEAN Integration, we emphasise the need to prioritise resources, funding and capacity building for those Member Countries where poverty is highest and economic need is most urgent. Recognising that economic development is progressing in the Mekong Region, we commit to a vision for the MRC to be financially sustained by Member Countries by 2030.
Furthermore, we decide that an MRC Summit will be convened every four years.
Excellencies, Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I hereby table the full text of the MRC Hua Hin Declaration
for adoption by the Heads of Government of MRC Member Countries.
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