Thursday, August 28, 2008

Mekong River Commission discusses recent flooding Meeting

LAO, Aug 28 (KPL) - Member states of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) met to discuss the recent flooding and accelerating infrastructure development on the Mekong River, in Vientiane on 27 August.

New initiatives, such as the upcoming Regional Multi-Stakeholder Consultation of the MRC Hydropower Programme, Environmental Considerations for Sustainable Development and Drought Management Programme were deliberated in the 28th Meeting of the MRC Joint Committee.

Dr Saksit Tridech, Permanent Secretary of Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment, and Joint Committee Chairman for 2008-2009 year, told the participants that the MRC had reacted quickly and effectively in warning national agencies of the recent flooding in Laos and Thailand.

"The events had prompted much public discussion," he continued, "And the MRC is responding by conducting detailed analysis of this year's flood season".

Officials from the four Mekong River Commission member countries: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, together with representatives from observer and partner organisations, attended this meeting The MRC Joint Committee meetings are held once every six months to discuss the achievements of the MRC and to draw up a work plan for the next six months.

The committee is responsible for the implementation of the policies and decisions of the MRC Council and the supervision of the MRC Secretariat.

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