Mekong River Faces Development Challenges | WPN World People News

A summit of four countries bordering the Mekong River has led to calls for greater cooperation managing the river's vital water resources.

The Mekong River Commission (MRC), which includes Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, has also concluded there is a need for more study of the rising challenges of population growth, water demand and impacts of climate change on the watershed.

Strengthening regional cooperation is needed to ensure sustained development along the Mekong. Severe negative impacts facing the region and pointed to the mounting pressure on water and related resources in the Mekong River basin, home to 60 million people.

Vietnam faces rising salt water intrusion into the Mekong Delta region due to lower fresh water flow, reduced 10 percent during the past three decades.

Vietnam called for Laos to consult with other Mekong River countries before completing construction of two dams on the lower Mekong.

But Laos is pressing ahead with completion of the controversial 1,285 megawatt Xayaburi Dam. Environmentalists say the 260 megawatt Don Sahong Dam, near the Lao border with Cambodia, would have a significant impact on migratory fish, vital to feeding millions of people, especially in Cambodia.

The U.S.-based non-government group, International Rivers says work on the projects should be halted immediately.

The Mekong River needs immediate action from the decision and action from all leaders. It is very important for member countries to recognize this is really an international river - an international issue.

No enforcement powers

But the Mekong River Commission, created in 1995 as a means of scientific research has no enforcement powers, relies on member states to back pledges made at the summit meetings.

The Cambodia based Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT) says the commission should be reformed to take into account recommendations and calls by civil society.

Environmentalists are preparing to step up a campaign to delay the Don Sahong project, which still requires Laos National Assembly ratification, now expected in December.

Laos told the summit it would carefully consider the concerns about dam construction impact.

Source: Voice of America