1

International efforts to coordinate Mekong water development started in 1920s

–Series of international agreements mainly for navigation and boundary delimitation

Birth of Mekong Birth of Mekong Cooperation Cooperation

2

Birth of Mekong Cooperation Birth of Mekong Cooperation Birth of Mekong Cooperation Birth of Mekong Cooperation

1949 - ECAFE (ESCAP) created Bureau of Flood Control to study Mekong– Initial emphasis on flood

control in Mekong Delta ECAFE studies

highlighted great potential of Mekong for irrigation, hydropower, navigation, fisheries– began field studies during

1950's

3

Mekong Committee 1957Mekong Committee 1957Mekong Committee 1957Mekong Committee 1957 Effective development of the river would require unity

of purpose among the four nations of Lower Mekong– "Mekong Spirit" - giving priority to the development and

progress of the whole basin, over national interest ECAFE established Mekong Committee 1957

– "formulation, investigation, coordination, supervision and control of water resources development plans for the LMB"

– Under auspices of UNDP and ECAFE– National Mekong Committees in Cambodia, Laos,

Thailand, Viet Nam (China, Burma not included)

4

Mekong Committee 1957- 1975Mekong Committee 1957- 1975Mekong Committee 1957- 1975Mekong Committee 1957- 1975

1957 Report on Development of Water Resources in LMB – proposed 4 mainstream dams and weir on Tonle Sap

Wheeler Report (1958) – Importance of information on hydrology, climate,

topography, geology as well as fisheries, irrigation, mineral resources, power markets, floods

White Report (1962)– Need for consideration of social and economic aspects

of proposed developments - not just technical aspects

5

Mekong Committee Mekong Committee 1957- 19751957- 1975

Mekong Committee Mekong Committee 1957- 19751957- 1975

Hydrological - meteorological network est. 1960

Extensive studies through 1960's – "gather sufficient data to permit

adequate planning"

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1970 Indicative Basin Plan1970 Indicative Basin Plan1970 Indicative Basin Plan1970 Indicative Basin Plan

Comprehensive 2 stage development plan

Short range plan (1971-80) focused on tributary projects to meet national needs

Long range plan (1980 - 2000) proposed cascade of large dams on mainstream for regional development

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1960-70's1960-70's1960-70's1960-70's

Dam development on tributaries underway– Yali 1965; Nam Ngum

1971;Ubol Ratana 1965, Nam Pung 1966, Sirindhorn 1970, Chulaphon 1972

Conflict in the region prevented further implementation

8

Interim Mekong Committee 1977Interim Mekong Committee 1977Interim Mekong Committee 1977Interim Mekong Committee 1977

1975 - Joint Declaration of Principles for Utilization of the Waters of the LMB– Legal framework for cooperation

1975: Cambodia withdrew from Mekong Committee

1977 - Thailand, Lao PDR and Viet Nam formed Interim Mekong Committee

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Revised Indicative Plan 1987Revised Indicative Plan 1987Revised Indicative Plan 1987Revised Indicative Plan 1987

1987 - Interim Mekong Committee published Revised Indicative Plan

– More conservative plan, but retained mainstream dams

– Concerns about large dam projects restricted international funding

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Mekong River CommissionMekong River Commission Mekong River CommissionMekong River Commission

1991 Cambodia asked to rejoin 1992 – 1994 - search for new agreement framework

– Rise of ASEAN as regional framework– Increased economic development of region– China launched construction of Manwan Dam

April 1995 - signing of Mekong Agreement established Mekong River Commission– international organisation (4 countries)– reports to Council of Ministers – Joint Committee and National Mekong Committees

11

MRC Organisational StructureMRC Organisational StructureMRC Organisational StructureMRC Organisational Structure

JOINT COMMITTEE(Members at level of Head of

Department or higher)

COUNCIL(Members at Ministerial and

Cabinet Level)

National Mekong Committee Secretariats

NATIONAL MEKONG COMMITTEES (NMC)

(Member Agencies)

DONOR CONSUL-TATIVE GROUP

(Donor countries and cooperating institutions)

Government of

Cambodia

Government of

Laos

Government of

Thailand

Government of

Vietnam

Mekong River Com-mission Secretariat

12

13

Goals of the Mekong AgreementGoals of the Mekong AgreementGoals of the Mekong AgreementGoals of the Mekong Agreement

Equitable sharing of Mekong water Maintaining ecological balance Social and economic well-being Cooperation and interdependent growth

Balanced development, based on understanding of the

resource

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1995 Agreement and 1995 Agreement and sustainable developmentsustainable development

1995 Agreement and 1995 Agreement and sustainable developmentsustainable development

Four countries agreed to:

“Cooperate.. in the sustainable development, utilisation, management and conservation of the Mekong River Basin water and related resources”

Framework agreement which sets out principles, not details

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1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles

1. Areas of cooperationall water related sectors, including but not limited to irrigation, hydropower, navigation, flood control, fisheries, timber floating, recreation and tourism

2. Projects, Programs and Planning Basin Development Plan

3. Protection of environment and ecological balance

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1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles

4. Sovereign equality and territorial integrity

5. Reasonable and equitable useRules for water utilization and inter-basin diversion

6. Maintenance of flow on mainstreamGuidelines for locations and levels of flows, monitoring

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1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles

7. Prevention of harmful effectsnotification of damage

8. State Responsibility for damagesconforming with international law

9. Freedom of navigation

10. Emergency situations

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MRC Council activitiesMRC Council activitiesMRC Council activitiesMRC Council activities

2000 Procedures for data and information sharing 2001 Agreement for exchange of data with China 2002 Preliminary procedures for notification

Flood management and mitigation strategy

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Planned activities 2003-5Planned activities 2003-5Planned activities 2003-5Planned activities 2003-5

Procedures for water use monitoring Rules for water sharing Rules for maintenance of minimum flows Rules for water quality Basin development plan

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Can Tho