In her speech, H.E Mme Khempheng Pholsena highlighted achievement in the past year such as the MRC timely response to the 2008 flood, launching of climate change and adaptation initiative, impressive increase of technical cooperation with China in Strategic Environmental Management of the Mainstream Dams, strengthening stakeholder participation in the decision making process, and the approval of the Communication Strategy and disclosure policy which will contribute to making MRC more open and transparent.

The meeting also approved the approach and timeline for the formulation of the Strategic Plan 2011-2015. The Strategic Plan will be made with ownership of member countries which will integrate the lessons learnt from implementing earlier Strategic Plans and Mid-Term Review of the Strategic Plan 2006-2010, consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, MRC’s core functions, and the MRC performance management system.