April - June 2008 / Issue 2
Mekong News
T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E M E K O N G R I V E R C O M M I S S I O N
MRC Hydropower Programme gets under way
Building on its 2001 Hydropower
Strategy, and to address the challenge of
helping regional plans for hydropower
development evolve in ways that also
benefi t local populations, the MRC has
started its Hydropower Programme.
The programme is looking to engage
government agencies, private develop-
ers, fi nanciers and civil society groups
in discussing the opportunities and risks
associated with hydropower projects,
beginning with a regional stakeholder
consultation meeting in September 2008.
This consultation will bring together
senior government offi cials from the
MRC Member States and Dialogue
The cumulative effects of existing and new hydropower facilities on natural resources will be analysed
by a combination of MRC programmes.
Partners, the developers of existing and
future hydropower projects, banks and
an effective initiative. The consultation
implications of, and opportunities for
international fi nancial institutions, en-
will also provide a chance to assess and hydropower projects. Among these
vironmental and social experts, NGOs,
disseminate related fast-track activities
activities will be modelling work on dry
research groups and the media.
of other MRC programmes.
season fl ows and sediments under the
The aim is to elicit feedback on the
The Hydropower Programme will take
BDP, and Fisheries Programme research
scope and approach of the MRC
a two-track approach to its operations.
on fi sh migration and the cumulative
Hydropower Programme and gather
Track 1 will include short-term activities barrier effects of dams.
information that will help shape it into
focused on understanding the regional
Continued page 2
Scenario work to reveal hydrological I N S I D E
impacts
· Climate change on the
MRC agenda
· Navigation safety to
improve on Mekong
· Cooperation with China
expands
· More water, bigger fi sh
· Reduced fl ood damage
is aim of new Regional
Centre
Sub-area teams will soon start preparing comprehensive tributary basin profi les.
Development planning across the whole
Formulation of the scenarios, including
As a result of this process, government
Lower Mekong Basin should become
a mainstream dam scenario, is progress-
planning departments, line agencies and
easier in the future thanks to the MRC's
ing well and working groups in the
provinces in each country will be able to
new basin-wide scenario work. The fi rst
member countries are creating databases better judge the potential effects of vari-
results on the hydrological impacts of
containing all relevant data on hydro-
ous projects and so make well-informed
various likely scenarios will be available power and irrigation, including the
decisions.
in September 2008 through the Basin
priority ranking of planned projects and
Development Plan Programme.
potential longer-term developments.
Continued page 2
For information about the MRC please contact: Tel: 856 21 263 263 Email: mrcs@mrcmekong.org Website: www.mrcmekong.org
Mekong News; April-June 2008, Issue 2
Hydropower Programme gets under way
From page 1
To build an overall picture of the
covering the mainstream of the Lower
impacts of basin-wide water resources
Mekong Basin. The programme will
development options, including hydro-
continue to facilitate dialogue at dif-
power developments on the mainstream ferent levels on the key issues facing
and tributaries, the Environment Pro-
the hydropower sector and will launch
gramme will provide assessment tools
a strategic environmental assessment
for sustainable environmental and social of mainstream dam proposals. Track 2
aspects, while the Navigation Pro-
activities will be initiated in September
gramme is developing standard specifi-
2008.
cations for ship locks on dams. This first
track is now underway and should be
The MRC, as a regional organisation,
mostly completed by December 2008.
has an important part to play in im-
proving understanding of the regional
Track 2 will see the programme build
implications of hydropower projects,
Traditional hydrotechnology helps this farmer
on and share knowledge, expanding the
working with agencies responsible for
water his field - how can he also benefit from
MRC's database on existing, planned
hydropower development as well as
mainstream hydroelectricity projects?
and proposed hydropower projects and
developers and other stakeholders. The
building capacity for environmental
Commission's partnerships across the
to reach out to the full range of stake-
review through a proposed case study
four countries put it in a unique position holders.
Scenario work to reveal hydrological impacts
From page 1
During the scenario-building work the
and methodology for the formulation and will promote a better understanding of
MRC's hydropower database is being
assessment of scenarios and individual
the potential and the constraints for water
considerably improved to contain the
projects. Following a second meeting,
resources development and management
policy, regulatory technical and econom-
the BDP assessment framework (which
in different parts of each sub-area.
ic information needed for the emerging
includes the policy and other criteria that
hydropower programme.
will be used for assessing scenarios and
This work will avoid conflicts between
projects and allow the various sectors
The Basin Development Programme has projects) will be reviewed by the MRC
and provinces to include social and
already held its first meeting with a new-
Joint Committee later this year.
environmental considerations in their
ly-established regional and multi-sectoral Meanwhile, sub-area teams are being
plans. The activities in each sub-area
working group on development scenarios formed in each of the member countries
are being coordinated with many local,
and integrated water resource manage-
to prepare comprehensive tributary basin national and international agencies and
ment strategy for the basin. The meeting
profiles. This will be the first step in the
NGOs.
discussed the first drafts of the process
preparation of sub-area strategies that
New initiative to tackle climate change
The impact of climate change on the
Mekong Basin, particularly in the Delta
region, is becoming an issue of increas-
ing concern and is expected to have
significant impacts on water availabil-
ity, agricultural production and fisher-
ies. These three sectors provide the
livelihood for the vast majority of rural
villagers, the biggest and most vulner-
able social group in the basin.
Under an agreement signed in April
2008, researchers from Australia's Com-
monwealth Scientific and Industrial Re-
search Organisation and the MRC will
assess the potential impacts of climate
change on the environment in the Lower
Mekong Basin countries: Cambodia, the Climate change could bring disaster to people in the Mekong Basin.
Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam.
2
Mekong News; April-June 2008, Issue 2
The agreement is one in a series of
makers to prepare strategies to integrate The MRC's Watershed Management
partnerships between the Government
climate change considerations into
Project, run in conjunction with GTZ,
of Australia and the MRC to study cli-
poverty reduction efforts.
has already been studying the effects of
mate change in the Mekong region.
climate change on livelihoods and pro-
The project, which started in March
These efforts will complement other
ductivity of local people in watersheds.
2008, is now in its design phase and
ongoing initiatives to help the govern-
will involve intensive stakeholder con-
The Commission is now in the process
ments of the area develop strategies to
sultation to define MRC climate change of formulating activities in two fields:
adapt to new environmental conditions. goals, objectives and priorities.
enhancing the adaptive capacities of
The overall goal is to minimise the
watershed management stakehold-
disadvantages that climate change will
The combined efforts of the partners
ers and water user groups in its pilot
bring to the poorest people of the basin.
involved in this exercise will produce
projects; and developing innovative
The MRC will work together with the
a roadmap outlining a work plan of
financial mechanisms to cope with
Member States to use the results of this activities needed to achieve objectives,
climate change.
project to develop activities that can
expected outputs, a quality analysis sys-
complement existing and future climate tem with a value effectiveness review,
The Watershed Management project is
change projects conducted by other or-
and safeguards incorporating progress
currently designing activities that will
ganisations and development partners.
monitoring.
enable watershed management stake-
holders to benefit from these mecha-
One of these new projects, the Climate
When phase 1 is complete the project
nisms, and these will be closely liked
Change Adaptation Initiative, will run
will go on to develop or adapt evaluation to the new Climate Change Adaptation
within the MRC's own Environment
and predictive tools, design and conduct Initiative.
Programme from 2008-2012, providing
pilot projects, draw up policy frame-
baseline data, planning tools, a policy
works for use by national agencies,
For more information contact Dr Vithet
framework, capacity building and
build capacity in line agencies, and help
Srinetr, MRC Environment Programme
monitoring. These will enable decision-
integrate policies into local planning.
Coordinator: vithet@mrcmekong.org
Basin changes will demand new solutions
The opportunities and risks that come
with economic growth was a key issue
discussed at the 27th meeting of the MRC
Joint Committee in Danang, Viet Nam
on 2-3 April 2008. The meeting also ex-
amined other issues central to develop-
ment of the basin's water resources.
Viet Nam's Vice Minister for Agri-
culture and Rural Development, Dr
Dao Xuan Hoc, described the current
situation in the region as a period of
exciting development in Southeast Asia,
with the countries of the Mekong River
Basin experiencing strong economic
growth. However, he pointed out that
with growth comes rapid change, which
always carries some social and environ-
mental risks.
The change that comes with rapid growth brings environmental and other risks.
Joint Committee Chairman Mr Nguyen
Mr Toan asserted that the MRC must
In other business Joint Committee del-
Hong Toan acknowledged that, given
play a major role in ensuring that plans
egates also approved the MRC Annual
the amount of activity involving basin
for using the resources of the Mekong
Report for 2007, reached agreement on
water resources either already underway and its tributaries are coordinated and
the next steps for improving the moni-
or being discussed at high levels, the
backed by proper scientific research
toring and evaluation procedures of
MRC's role was coming under scrutiny
combined with socio-economic and
MRC programmes, and decided that the
within the region. This attention was
environmental assessment.
MRC Secretariat would, within the next
coming from environmental groups,
three months, examine the framework
civil society and non-governmental or-
The meeting heard discussed progress
for hosting a forum of stakeholders
ganisations, but also from the develop-
within the programmes and future plans. interested in discussing major devel-
ment partners that fund the MRC, from
It was informed that the financial situa-
opment issues in the basin, including
government agencies whose plans and
tion of the MRC was sound and Mem-
hydropower. The date for this forum has
projects will be affected by water devel-
ber Countries had shown an increased
now been fixed for September (see front
opments, and from the general public.
sense of ownership over the past year.
page).
3
Mekong News; April-June 2008, Issue 2
Navigation project to make Mekong safer
Dangerous areas of the Mekong River in
the Lao PDR and Thailand will even-
tually become safer for river pilots,
passengers and traders once the MRC
Navigation Programme is able to repli-
cate work it has completed in the busy
shipping lanes from Phnom Penh Port in
Cambodia to the Viet Nam border.
The programme has commenced a topo-
hydrographic survey of selected areas
of danger as the first step in its project
to install new aids to navigation on the
Mekong River between Luang Prabang
and Pakse in the Lao PDR. This project
will be of benefit to both Laos and Thai-
land as they share the river in this area.
Detailed survey work is needed before safety markers and aids can be installed in Laos and Thailand.
A topo-hydrographic survey team
navigation channel
travelled along this section of the river
locations and depths,
in early 2008 to make preliminary
making it possible to
investigations into water levels, river
indicate the `natural'
depths and flow patterns, and to identify navigation channel
natural obstacles.
without the need for
Prior to installation of navigational aids any physical channel
several steps have to be completed.
improvement work.
Phase 1 is a condition survey, which
The 426-km stretch be-
includes gathering of topo-hydrographic tween Luang Prabang
data and production of charts. This is
and Vientiane is full of
followed by a waterway classification of rocky outcrops that are
the entire stretch and entails determina-
particularly dangerous
tion of the optimal ship size for use of
to navigation. Only
the waterway. Then a channel design is
skilled and experi-
made, using the information provided to enced pilots can nego-
decide which types of buoys to use and
tiate the swift currents
their best locations. The final phase is
and sharp bends of the
manufacturing and installation of these
channel meandering
navigational aids.
between the rocks.
Along the Mekong in the Lao PDR and Between Vientiane and
Thailand are geological factors that
Pakse (715 km) draft
restrict open-river navigation. These
is restricted during the
include spots with high turbulence,
low water period by
ronmental protection: By improving
strong currents, decreased depth in
shallow sandbars and rocky outcrops.
shipping safety on the Mekong it will
low-water periods, and reduced naviga- Installation of a reliable system of
reduce the risk of groundings and
bility due to rock outcrops.
standardised aids to navigation, such as
collisions, and therefore decrease the
While not all reaches of the Mekong
shore marks, buoys, beacons, leading
chances of spillage pollution. Increased
show the same potential for increased
lines and channel marks, will improve
opportunity for river freight transport
ship size or for better navigation, the
safety and reduce riverine accidents. A
should also reduce the pollution caused
Navigation Programme is dedicated to
single bad accident involving dangerous by transporting goods overland. Coor-
helping its member countries design a
cargo could have disastrous impacts on
dinating agencies for the project are the
common river transport infrastructure
drinking water, aquatic habitation and
Lao and Thai National Mekong Com-
that can make best use of the river's
irrigation throughout the entire Lower
mittees.
natural potential. Through previous
Mekong River.
For more information contact Phirun
production of a Hydrographic Atlas, the This project will therefore be compat-
Hiek at the MRC Navigation Pro-
MRC has acquired knowledge of river
ible with overall MRC aims of envi-
gramme: phirun@mrcmekong.org
4
Mekong News; April-June 2008, Issue 2
World Water Day visions brighten up Secretariat
The artistic perceptions of Lao second-
by the Watershed Management project
tions Unit through Aiden Glendinning
ary school students on issues affecting
co-managed by the MRC and GTZ.
(aiden@mrcmekong.org).
their watershed now adorn the main
Sangthong district lies within the Nam
stairs of the MRC Secretariat in Vien-
Ton watershed, which has experienced
tiane.
substantial deforestation in recent years.
Nine colourful pictures, created by
The frames in the Secretariat stairwell
pupils of Ban Phialat school in Sangth-
will be used to display a range of work
ong district, Vientiane province, were
over the next two years. Anyone wish-
chosen to open a revolving exhibition of ing to display A3-sized artwork relating
Mekong-related artwork within the Sec-
to the Mekong and its people, including
retariat. The pictures, drawn to mark this photography, in the MRC headquar-
year's World Water Day, were organised ters should contact the Communica-
Picture by Saysana Khampanvong, aged 12.
MRC increases cooperation with China
Chinese navigation experts recently ex-
pressed a strong desire to work together
with the MRC to ensure that plans for
river transport and hydropower develop-
ment along the Mekong River are made
in consideration of each other.
In May 2008 MRC Navigation Pro-
gramme representatives met with Yun-
nan province officials responsible for
navigational affairs, waterway transport
planning, and communications. One
area of discussion was the condition
survey of dangerous areas and improve-
ment for navigation along a stretch of
the Mekong in northern Laos.
The Chinese experts noted that navi-
gation plans would have to consider
planned hydropower cascades and said
this would require a larger integrated
The condition survey of dangerous areas and improvement for navigation on the Mekong River between
master plan covering all resources and
Houei Sai and Luang Prabang in now in progress.
sectors. In the meantime, the MRC's
particular those related to navigation
detailed channel marking of the dan-
channel improvement.
gerous stretches between Houai Sai
and Luang Prabang will continue, as
Another topic will be the significance
this is part of a major tourist route be-
of the environment and ecology of the
tween Chiang Rai and Luang Prabang. river within the framework of wa-
terborne transport. Participants will
The project will reduce accidents and
work on an action plan to mitigate the
improve navigation safety without
environmental and social impacts of
negatively affecting the environment.
river regulating works, while promoting
Discussions were also held on the
sound waterborne transport develop-
first Seminar on Waterway Safety
ment and coordination.
and Navigation Improvement, to be
held in Jinghong, Yunnan, from 14-16
Participants at the seminar will also
October.
discuss a study of new technologies and
methods for associated development of
This technical meeting of navigation
hydropower and navigation.
professionals and relevant experts will
build consensus on navigation devel-
Presentations will be made by naviga-
opment on the Lancang-Mekong as a
tion professionals from China and the
basis for long-term planning.
MRC Member States, and by inter-
national experts on waterways, the
Improved navigation safety will reduce the
potential for accidents and environmental problems
The seminar will address physical
environment, river engineering and
caused by spills.
aspects of navigation safety, in
navigation locks.
5
Mekong News; April-June 2008, Issue 2
More water, bigger fish
Results from studies in Cambodia show The results also suggest that the below-
that longer and more extensive flood-
average catch in 2007-2008 and the
ing results in bigger fish in rivers and
general decrease in average fish size
wetlands.
over the past few years could be ex-
Staff from the Cambodian Fisheries
plained by the generally smaller floods
Administration and the MRC Fisheries
over the same period, rather than by
Programme have been monitoring the
excessive fishing pressure, as some
Cambodian stationary trawl (or dai)
have suggested. However, continued
fishery on the Tonle Sap River for 13
monitoring of the dai fishery is neces-
years and have recently been working
sary to confirm this interpretation.
on ways to relate the catch to the level
One of the conclusions that can be
of annual flooding.
drawn from this study is that long-
This has resulted in a new flood index,
term or permanent reductions in the
which describes the extent and duration flood arising from planned basin
of flooding in the system for the entire
development could not only threaten
flood season. Until now most measure-
the livelihoods of fishers by reduc-
ments were related to the peak flood
ing catches, but could also threaten
Extended floods appear to have a positive effect on
fish landings in Cambodia. Picture: Joe Garrison
period, which is generally taken to be
the long-term sustainability of the fish
a 31-day period recorded 15 days each
populations by reducing their mean
side of the maximum recorded water
size. This would both
level at Phnom Penh Port.
reduce their repro-
ductive potential and
Using the new flood index, the team
make them more vul-
looked at catches over the past ten
nerable to capture.
years. It was discovered that more
extensive floods resulted in larger fish
Consequently,
size. In fact the average fish size varied
maintaining natural
by a factor of three to four times, de-
flooding could be
pending on the size of the flood. These
seen to be one of the
preliminary results suggest it is the
most important ways
increase in average fish size which is
authorities could
primarily responsible for increased fish
help preserve their
yields in years of higher flood.
fisheries. Perhaps
then the Cambodian
These results appear to indicate that fish proverb "where there
migrating down the Tonle Sap are more is water, there are
Estimates of average fish weight (solid line) arriving
vulnerable to capture during years of
fish" could be expanded to "where
at the dai fishery and the Flood Index (FI) (broken
low floods than they are during years of there is more water, there are bigger
line) from 1998-2007.
high floods.
fish".
Simulation training tool provides hands-on
experience of flood issues
With the flood season upon us the MRC
has launched a new simulation training
tool to help National Mekong Com-
mittees and line agencies improve their
flood risk management skills.
The simulation tool is part of a series of
training courses to improve integrated
flood risk management (IFRM) in the
basin. Training takes the form of a
simulation game in which participants
work at the Ministry of Water Manage-
ment in a fictitious country. Players are
presented with scenarios and then have
to choose how to invest in flood defence `Money' used in a flood simulation training game developed by the UNESCO Institute for Water
Education together with Delft Hydraulics.
and development activities, while also
6
Mekong News; April-June 2008, Issue 2
carrying our maintenance of structures,
ability of flooding; increasing levels of
river engineering projects and operation damage in case of flooding; the wish
of a main storage reservoir.
of the provinces to use floodplains for
Mr Sourasay Phoumavong of the Lao
economic activities; and constraints in
National Mekong Committee said the
funding.
training was extremely useful as it al-
In all the simulation presents a real-
lowed planners to experience the trade-
istic scenario of the challenges and
offs necessary in decision-making, and
needs facing a real river basin. So far
to see both the consequences of poor
the simulation tool has met with great
planning and the benefits that could be
enthusiasm from participants, who
gained by integrated approaches.
have been asked to evaluate the course,
Mme Khempeng is new Chair of the MRC Council
Game players have to deal with de-
in order to improve it for future use.
mands from provincial authorities for
Council & JC
structures and development plans, and
The first two-day sessions of this four-
must also ensure that they run opera-
course series were held in May 2008
tions within budget. Management tasks
in all four Member States. The courses
Chairs rotate
include implementing a national safety
are run under the capacity-building
against flooding policy; reducing the
segment of the Flood Management
On July 1 H.E. Mme Khempeng Phol-
probability of flooding; minimising the
and Mitigation Programme's Com-
sena, Minister to the Prime Minister's
damage in case of flooding; and raising
ponent 2: Structural Measures and
Office and Head of the Lao Water
awareness and knowledge of local gov-
Flood Proofing. The next three courses
Resources and Environment Adminis-
ernment organisations and the general
will focus on best practice guidelines
tration, became MRC Council Chair for
public with respect to possible floods
for flood damage assessment and
2008-2009. The new Joint Committee
and actions for flood management.
evaluation of flood risk management
measures; design of flood risk manage-
Chairman is Dr Saksit Tridech, Perma-
These day-to-day tasks are the compli-
ment measures (structural and flood
nent Secretary to Thailand's Ministry of
cated by concerns such as high prob-
proofing); and IFRM planning.
Natural Resources and Environment.
Information products
Fisheries Consumption Study (Technical Paper No. 16 )
How to order
The full title of this fascinating report is "Consumption and the yield of
fish and other aquatic animals form the Lower Mekong Basin". It records
All products can be ordered from the
the surveys conducted in the LMB by the Fisheries Ecology, Valuation
MRC Secretariat's Documentation
and Mitigation component of the Fisheries Programme which has been
Centre.
monitoring the status and trends of fisheries resources and improving
Postage costs apply. Mekong region
knowledge of the socio-economic value of fisheries.
government agencies may write to the
October 2007. Hard copy: US$5.00 plus postage.
MRC to obtain free copies.
Free download: http://www.mrcmekong.org/free_download/research.htm
Check the MRC website for a full list
Socio-economics of the fisheries of the lower Songkhram River
of products. Credit card sales are also
Basin, Northeast Thailand (Technical Paper No 17)
available through the website, www.
This reports on a large but previously undocumented capture fishery, sur-
mrcmekong.org. Some products are
veying villages within the lower third of the Songkhram River Basin, where
also available as free downloads.
extensive wetlands are associated with the most productive fisheries.
Contact
January 2008. Hard copy: US$5.00 plus postage.
Free download: http://www.mrcmekong.org/free_download/research.htm
Documentation Centre
Annual Mekong Flood Report 2007
Mekong River Commission Secretariat
P.O. Box 6101, 184 Fa Ngoum Road,
The third Annual Mekong Flood Report focuses on evaluation of regional
Unit 18, Ban Sithane Neua,
flood hydrology by considering it within the major tributary systems, with
Sikhottabong District, Vientiane 01000,
a particular emphasis on flash floods.
Lao PDR
May 2008. Hard copy: $10.00 plus postage.
Free download: http://www.mrcmekong.org/free_download/research.htm
Open: Mon-Fri, 8.30 am-12.00 pm,
Catch and Culture, Issue 1 2008
1.30 pm - 4.30 pm
The latest issue of Catch and Culture, the Fisheries Programme newslet-
Tel: (856 21) 263 263 ext: 1041
ter, includes stories on the bagnet fishery in Cambodia, an account of a
Fax: (856 21) 263 264
traditional Lao hunt for the endangered Mekong giant catfish, and recent
Email: doc.centre@mrcmekong.org
aquaculture efforts to develop certification standards for fish exports from
Website: www.mrcmekong.org
Viet Nam.
June 2008. Hard copy: Free (postage costs apply)
Free download: http://www.mrcmekong.org/free_download/research.htm
For access to the latest reports and research on development issues, visit www.mekonginfo.org
7
Mekong News; April-June 2008, Issue 2
Regional centre works to reduce flood damage
May 2008 was a busy month for the
Flood Management and Mitigation
Programme. The programme offi-
cially opened its new Regional Flood
Management and Mitigation Centre in
Phnom Penh and followed this with its
sixth Annual Mekong Flood Forum.
Inauguration of the new facility was
marked by a ceremony held fittingly
on Mekong Day, April 5, and officially
opened by H.E. Mr Lim Kean Hor,
Cambodia's Minister of Water Resourc-
es and Meteorology, and Chairman of
the MRC Council 2007-2008.
Annual Flood Forum delegates heard about a new system that would provide more specific forecasting
Construction of the Flood Centre was
capabilities throughout the basin, and so help people deal better with the floods that occur each year.
financed by the Government of Japan,
Cambodia National Mekong Com-
with national and local institutions that
while other donors, like the Netherlands, mittee Vice Chairman H.E. Sin Niny
could transmit this information to people
Germany, the United States, Denmark,
told the meeting that rapid population
living in flood-prone areas.
the Asian Development Bank and the
growth in the region, together with
European Commission, fund a wide
urbanisation and changes in land use
These improvements in technology and
range of Flood Centre operations. The
and river morphology, meant that the
cooperation among the MRC Member
Flood Centre will gather information
existing flood warning capacity needed States, along with enhanced capac-
from water monitoring systems all over
upgrading. In accord with this, the four ity among data gathering and analysis
the Mekong Basin, from Yunnan Prov-
countries had been working with the
services, mean the maximum advance
ince in China all the way down to the
MRC to develop a new system that can notice for forecasting of floods should
Delta in Viet Nam.
provide medium-term flood forecasts.
increase from five to ten days. The
forum also discussed flood preparedness
At the Centre, readings are collated and
work in action in the basin, advances
flood events predicted. Once activities
More than 100 delegates from the MRC in hydrological management (through
are fully developed, by the 2009 flood
member and dialogue partner countries, projects like Mekong-HYCOS) and the
season, news and warnings will be sent
plus representatives from international
use of satellite technology, flood map-
out across the region, helping authori-
and civil society organisations attended
ping and flood probability information
ties and communities to prepare for
this year's forum, which had the theme
in forecasting and land management.
events as early as possible. As the heart
"integrated approaches and appli-
of the MRC Flood Management and
cable systems for medium-term flood
The Annual Flood Forum is held
Mitigation Strategy, the Centre also pro- forecasting and early warning in the
to improve scientific and logistical
vides training and technology transfer to Mekong River Basin".
cooperation and provides an opportu-
specialists from the four Member States. Delegates heard about a new system be- nity to discuss lessons learned from
Early warning of flooding along the Me- ing tested by the Flood Centre to provide previous flood seasons. The recom-
kong and its tributaries provided the key more specific forecasting capabilities
mended theme for next year's forum
topic for the MRC Sixth Annual Flood
throughout the basin. They also learned
is "Integrated flood risk management
Forum, held in Phnom Penh May 27-28. how the MRC was strengthening links
in the Mekong River Basin."
Upcoming events
World Water Week
13th IWRA World Water Congress
5th International Conference on Sustain-
17-23 August. Stockholm, Sweden
1-4 September. Montpelier, France
able Water Resources Management
www.worldwaterweek.org
www.unesco.org/water/water_events
12-14 September. Frankfurt, Germany
http://waset.org/
Fourth International Symposium on GIS/
11th International Riversymposium
Spatial Analyses in Fishery and Aquatic
1-4 September. Brisbane, Australia
Sciences
http://www.riversymposium.com
Mekong News is published quarterly by
25-29 August. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
the Mekong River Commission Sec-
MRC Regional Mulit-Stakeholder
retariat in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Please
28th Meeting of the MRC Joint Committee
Consultation on Hydropower
send comments, queries and ideas to the
26-27 August. Vientiane, Lao PDR
25-26 September. Vientiane, Lao PDR
Communications Officer, Phone: (856-21)
Contact: schiefer@mrcmekong.org
Contact: voradeth@mrcmekong.org
263 263 ext. 4703 Fax: (856-21) 263 264
Email: aiden@mrcmekong.org
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