International efforts to coordinate Mekong water development started in 1920s

1. Birth of Mekong Cooperation • International efforts to coordinate Mekong water development started in 1920s • Series of international agreements mainly for navigation and boundary delimitation

2. 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 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- 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 1957- 1975 • Hydrological - meteorological network est. 1960 • Extensive studies through 1960's • "gather sufficient data to permit adequate planning"

6. 1970 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

7. 1960-70'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 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

9. Revised 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

10. Mekong 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. Government ofCambodia Government ofLaos Government ofThailand Government ofVietnam COUNCIL(Members at Ministerial and Cabinet Level) DONOR CONSUL-TATIVE GROUP(Donor countries and cooperating institutions) NATIONAL MEKONG COMMITTEES (NMC)(Member Agencies) JOINT COMMITTEE(Members at level of Head of Department or higher) Mekong River Com-mission Secretariat MRC Organisational Structure National Mekong Committee Secretariats

13. Goals 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

14. 1995 Agreement and sustainable 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

15. 1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles • Areas of cooperation all water related sectors, including but not limited to irrigation, hydropower, navigation, flood control, fisheries, timber floating, recreation and tourism • Projects, Programs and Planning Basin Development Plan • Protection of environment and ecological balance

16. 1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles 4. Sovereign equality and territorial integrity 5. Reasonable and equitable use Rules for water utilization and inter-basin diversion 6. Maintenance of flow on mainstream Guidelines for locations and levels of flows, monitoring

17. 1995 Mekong Agreement - Articles 7. Prevention of harmful effects notification of damage 8. State Responsibility for damages conforming with international law 9. Freedom of navigation 10. Emergency situations

18. MRC 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

19. Planned 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

20. Can Tho