Mekong River Commission

The Mekong River Commission

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) is a river basin organisation built on a foundation of more than 50 years of experience in the region. The organisation has its roots in the United Nations-founded Mekong Committee, which began life in 1957.

On 5 April 1995, the governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam signed The Agreement on
Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin, to form the MRC in its current incarnation. The four signatories to the accord agreed to cooperate in the management of Mekong water resources for their mutual benefit; and to harness the economic potential of the Basin’s water resources in a sustainable manner.

The MRC has since welcomed the People's Republic of China and the Union of Myanmar as dialogue partners to the organisation and in 2002, the MRC and China signed an agreement to share hydrological data. The data provided by China has since become a core component of the MRC’s flood forecasting and river monitoring activities. The agreement was extended in 2008.

The MRC promotes regional cooperation in order to implement the 1995 agreement. It serves the Member Countries by supporting decisions and promoting action on sustainable development and poverty alleviation as a contribution to the UN Millennium Development Goals. It also helps Member Countries exchange information and formulate a joint basin development plan.

The work of the MRC is guided by the wishes of the four Member Countries who hold regular meetings to make decisions on strategy and policy.

The MRC is led by a Council, whose membership consists of one minister or cabinet member from each country. This Council meets once a year.

Working at a more executive policy level, below the Council is a Joint Committee whose members consist of no less than the heads of relevant government departments. The Committee meets twice a year and functions as a board of management.

The MRC Secretariat manages the day-to-day operations of the organisation. It is based in Vientiane, Lao PDR and employs more than 150 people, including engineers, scientists, environmental and social specialists, and administrators. Its Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre is based in Phnom Penh. The Secretariat is headed by a Chief Executive Officer who is appointed by the Council.

National Mekong Committees in each Member Country work with the Secretariat to provide a link between the Secretariat and each respective national government and coordinate activities through the relevant line agencies.

The MRC is funded through the contributions of Member Countries and international development agencies from a range of countries. Development partners also have a role in the organisation and are consulted regularly.

The MRC is partnered with a broad coalition of interests, including the governments of Member Countries, development banks, the United Nations, the private sector and civil society.