This MRC’s highest-political event will see the six riparian countries discuss the latest developments, opportunities, and innovative solutions to unprecedented challenges facing the Mekong River—Southeast Asia’s largest waterway—from water-related development impacts to climate change.
“The Mekong is undergoing tremendous transformations,” according to Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat. “We need to innovate constantly—in policy, approach and technology—to make the management and development of the Mekong River Basin more responsible and sustainable.”
Vietnam will play an active role in the conference stimulating the sustainable development of the river sub-region associated with the stability and common prosperity of ASEAN.
The Summit will promote cooperation between partner countries and the international community, including India and ASEAN in promoting architectural innovators to develop and deal with emerging Mekong sub-regional practices. The Mekong River Commission is the mechanism that plays the most important role in solving techniques in the Mekong sub-region, cooperating in transboundary water resource management. India, ASEAN and the international community should play a more active role in supporting countries in the Mekong sub-region to respond to climate change, improve management capacity water resources, sustainable development.
The 4th MRC Summit will be preceded by an international meet on 2 and 3 April, centred around the “Innovation and Cooperation for a Water Secure and Sustainable Mekong” theme.
The Conference is expected to bring around 400 stakeholders, experts, and enthusiasts worldwide to the Mekong—from government agencies, international organisations, the private sector, academia, and civil society. They will exchange thought-provoking insights, applied knowledge, and practical experiences on water-related innovation to enhance Mekong cooperation. Interested individuals or organisations must register to participate in advance. Experts are especially welcome to submit proposals to speak at the Conference.This global event will cover reflections on critical developments, prospects, and issues in managing the Mekong River Basin. Keynote speeches from leaders in various fields will spotlight leading innovations in policy, technology, and transboundary cooperation.
These context-setting openings will set the stage for expert panel sessions. They will delve into how innovative technologies and cooperation are transforming transboundary water management; and how responsible financing and gender inclusiveness are making a difference in water resources management. Participants will witness stimulating discussions, interactive exhibitions, and sharing of cutting-edge technologies and imaginative solutions that can more effectively address Mekong’s challenges.
Key messages and actionable recommendations from the Conference will feed into the Summit, where Mekong leaders will determine Mekong’s future and strategic direction.
The Summit is the MRC’s highest-level political event aimed at uplifting Mekong cooperation under the MRC framework, strengthening solidarity and setting a common direction among the Mekong riparian countries and stakeholders. Three Summits have been held to date: in Thailand (2010), Viet Nam (2014), and Cambodia (2018).
Vietnam pledges to further enhance cooperation with international organisations and partners, especially countries within the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and Mekong-Lancang cooperation mechanism, to achieve sustainable cross-border water development goals, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has said.
Delivering a keynote speech on March 23 at the United Nations conference on mid-term comprehensive review on the Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” for the 2018-2022 period, Ha said 60% of Vietnam’s water resources come from trans-boundary rivers. Vietnam also engages in the MRC’s model of cooperation which has garnered significant attention from many countries. Worldwide, over 40% of the global population are living in trans-boundary river and lake basins.
Sharing comprehensive, inclusive and fair approaches to cooperation in water resource management, Ha suggested strengthening the global and regional legal frameworks for the use and management of trans-boundary water resources; adopting an integrated, nature-based approach to managing transboundary water resources as a unified entity in the building and implementation of planning, programmes and projects; and enhancing transparent and equitable consultation mechanisms among the countries.
He stressed that the use and exploitation of water should take into account local livelihoods, socio-economic activities, and preservation of traditional cultural values and ecosystem associated with trans-boundary water resources.
Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet told the Vietnam News Agency that located in the lower Mekong River basin, Vietnam attaches importance to the use and management of water resources which directly impact the lives of tens of millions of people. That’s why Vietnam has actively engaged in both bilateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks, notably the MRC or UN frameworks.
Vietnam occupies a central place in India’s Act East Policy as well as in its Indo-Pacific strategy. As a result, India has made a number of contributions to the capacity building and socio-economic development of Vietnam. Under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation initiative, India has been implementing Rapid Impact Projects (RIPs), each worth around US$50,000, in different provinces of Vietnam to develop community infrastructure.
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