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HISTORY OF MEKONG COOHISTORY OF MEKONG COOPERATIONPERATION

IRBP Course PP 6.1IRBP Course PP 6.1

HISTORY OF MEKONG COOHISTORY OF MEKONG COOPERATIONPERATION

IRBP Course PP 6.1IRBP Course PP 6.1

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Int’l River Basin OrganizationInt’l River Basin Organizationss

Int’l River Basin OrganizationInt’l River Basin Organizationss

260There are now over internat rrrrr rrrrrrr .

rr rrrrrrr rr rrr rrrrrrr rrrr r45’rrrrrr

rr rrr rrrrr rrrrrr 80 . They include parts of 145nations, 21

ofwhi ch l i e ent i r el y wi t hi n a shar rrrrrr.

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ROLES OF RIVER BASIN ORGANIZATIONSROLES OF RIVER BASIN ORGANIZATIONSROLES OF RIVER BASIN ORGANIZATIONSROLES OF RIVER BASIN ORGANIZATIONS

Provision of common arena for mem ber states to regularly meet and dis

cuss issues related to their shared water resources.

Promoting information sharing amo ng various countries and agencies

- Developing a co ordinated water re source development and managem

ent scheme

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ROLES OF RBOs CONT.ROLES OF RBOs CONT.ROLES OF RBOs CONT.ROLES OF RBOs CONT.

Securing assistance from donor countries and development aid

agencies Resolution of conflicts among

member states Sharing of costs and benefits in

water resources development/management

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1957 Mekong Committee1978 Interim Mekong Committee1995 Mekong River Commission

Birth of Mekong Birth of Mekong Cooperation Cooperation

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Mekong Committee 1957Mekong Committee 1957Mekong Committee 1957Mekong Committee 1957

Committee for Coordination and Investigation of Mekong River

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

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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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Mekong River CommissionMekong River CommissionMekong 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 organization (4 countries)– reports to Council of Ministers – Joint Committee and National Mekong Committees

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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

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Characteristics of 95 AgreementCharacteristics of 95 AgreementCharacteristics of 95 AgreementCharacteristics of 95 Agreement

An intergovernmental agreement 06 chapters and 42 articles. Ground was laid for a more responsible and

sustainable management and development: Codification of existing Inter.l water law

principles and emerging principles; Provide for a joint permanent mechanism

(policy & tech.)for Mekong river basin management;

Mechanism for dispute settlement;

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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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Challenges Challenges Challenges Challenges

Before 1995 joint investigations

After 1995 joint planning coordinated implementation environment protection prevention and cessation of harmful effects adoption of rules for reasonable and equitable use of the

river system and for the maintenance of flows on the mainstream

freedom of navigation increased cooperation with upstream countries