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Post Info TOPIC: Sixteenth MRC Council Meeting


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Sixteenth MRC Council Meeting
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Sixteenth MRC Council Meeting PDF Print E-mail
Written by Som Oula YAPHICHIT
Wednesday, 30 December 2009 15:04

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The 16th 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

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The MRC Council’s role is to make policy decisions and provide other necessary guidances concerning the promotion, support, co-operation and co-ordination of joint activities and programmes in order to implement the 1995 Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin and it has overall governance of the MRC. The 1995 Agreement between the governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam came about as the four countries saw a common interest in jointly managing their shared water resources and developing the economic potential of the river. The meeting  was held in three days:

  1. Meeting of the MRC Delegations held on 26 November 2009;
  2. Joint Meeting with the MRC Donor Consultative Group on 27 November 2009;
  3. Adoption of Minutes by the MRC Delegations on 28 November 2009

MRC-Council16_22.JPG

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.

The 16th MRC Council Meeting concluded with the approval of Operation Expenditure Budget (OEB) for the Mekong River Commission Secretariat, and its work programmes for 2009/2010, the Council has also approved the Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Project which will provide a regional enabling framework for integrated water resources planning and management tools, procedures and guidelines, processes and capacity in place to implement the 1995 Mekong Agreement. Significantly, the Meeting reached the consensus on the permanent location of the MRC Secretariat Office, instead of rotating the office on 5 years basis between Phnom Penh and Vientiane Capital , the Secretariat Office will, by June 2010, be permanently co-hosted by Lao PDR and Cambodia, the divisions and programmes will be distributed on equitable basis taking into account the geographical significance, while the management and coordination units and corporate services will remain in Vientiane Capital.

Results of the 16th MRC Council Meeting was so fruitful, that demonstrated Friendship and Unity of member countries in maintaining the cooperation for sustainable development in the Mekong Basin development of Riparian Countries which are highly recognized by international arena.

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It's great to know that a council is actually discussing about the Mekong and the environement. Taking care of our environment is a pertinent task to ensure that our surroundings will be protected and optimally used - the "right way".




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