The 16^th Mekong River Commission (MRC) Council Meeting was held in Hua Hin, Thailand during 26 – 27 November 2009, the Meeting was chaired by H.E.Mr. Suwit Khunkitti, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, Chairman of Thai National Mekong Committee , Chairman of the MRC Council for 2009/2010, the Meeting was attended by the delegations from four member countries of Mekong River Commission (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam) , the Lao delegation attended the Meeting was led by H.E. Mme Khempheng Pholsena, Minister to Prime Minister’s Office, Head of Water Resources and Environment Administration, Chairperson of Lao National Mekong Committee, Member of MRC Council for Lao PDR .

Vientiane, Lao PDR/Hua Hin, Thailand
November 26-27, 2009

Vientiane, Lao PDR/Hua Hin, Thailand
November 27, 2009

The Mekong River Commission announced this week that it is to receive over € 500,000 in support from the French government over the next two years to help efforts in environmental monitoring and management in the Mekong basin.
The funds are to be used by the MRC to assist its Member Countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam to monitor the ecological health and water quality in the river, research and better understand environmental impacts of potential development threats facing the river system.

Vientiane, Lao PDR/Hua Hin, Thailand
November 27, 2009

The issues of both mainstream hydropower and freedom of navigation on the Mekong River are in the spotlight this week in Thailand as the Belgian government agrees to increase its support to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) with a US$ 10.4 million contribution over the next four years.

Improving river transport infrastructure could be a means for boosting trade and staving off economic downturn says the MRC.

Some 60 representatives from Lao and international organisations attended the 15th Meeting of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Council, held in Vientiane from November 7 to 8.

The council consists of representation at the ministerial level from the MRC's four member countries of Cambodia , Laos , Thailand and Vietnam .

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad gave an opening address at the meeting on Friday.

“As we are all aware, water access is crucial to food production, and the livelihoods and welfare of the people,” he said.

He said effective integrated water resources governance was of utmost importance to enabling the full realisation of sustainable development and poverty alleviation in the Mekong River Basin .

People living in the Mekong region have shared a deep-rooted culture and economic cooperation since time immemorial, and the 1995 Mekong Agreement has further deepened and strengthened this collaboration, he said.

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) remains committed to sustainable development in the use of the river’s natural resources. The MRC will reaffirm its commitment to pro-poor sustainable development when the 15th Meeting of the MRC Council takes place in Vientiane from November 6 to 8.

Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office and Lao National Mekong Committee Chairperson Ms Khempheng Pholsena addressed a press conference in Vientiane on Monday.