Vientiane:The Mekong River Commission (MRC) and its Dialogue Partners, China and Myanmar, have celebrated the 30th anniversary of their formal dialogue concerning the Mekong River Basin. Representatives from the four Member Countries of the Lower Mekong Basin joined China and Myanmar to evaluate their enduring cooperation and discuss future steps to enhance collaboration across the Mekong Lancang River Basin. The meeting took place at the MRC Secretariat in Vientiane against a backdrop of increasing demands for timely information exchange and coordinated action due to changing rainfall, flood risks, and other environmental challenges.
According to Lao News Agency, the dialogue, which began in Bangkok on July 26, 1996, has provided a platform for the six nations to share information, update forecasting, monitor water conditions, and address shared concerns. The recent meeting focused on hydrological data, joint modeling, environmental monitoring, and future basin planning. Mr. So Sophort, Secretary General of the Cambodia National Mekong Committee and Chairperson of the MRC Joint Committee for 2026, highlighted the significance of this cooperation, especially as the basin faces mounting environmental and socio-economic challenges from climate change.
China’s long-standing contribution to the dialogue includes sharing hydrological data from Yunjinghong and Manan stations for 24 years, with continuous data provision since November 2020. Xu Jinsong, Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Thailand, emphasized the importance of achieving comprehensive data sharing for the entire basin to improve coordination in addressing flood and drought challenges. Proposed future cooperation includes urgent notifications, broader data sharing, and joint efforts in forecasting and response.
The meeting also reviewed the second phase of a joint study on changing hydrological conditions and adaptation strategies, involving the MRC, the Lancang Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center, and all six nations. The study employs various climate models and scenarios to update the regional analysis, with consultations scheduled for October, leading to a joint expert group meeting in November before the final report submission.
Additionally, regional cooperation updates included addressing arsenic contamination detected in northern Thailand’s rivers. Routine monitoring from January to June 2026 showed most water quality results stayed within MRC guideline values. Myanmar highlighted its progress in water resources management, including adopting a new National Surface Water Quality Standard and identifying priority areas for further cooperation.
Discussions also covered Proactive Regional Planning, which integrates water, food, and energy needs into a comprehensive basin assessment. The operational MRC Decision Support Framework is being used to update development scenarios, with consultations and expert reviews ongoing.
The meeting underscored the importance of consistent data sharing and communication to enhance preparedness and protection of the Mekong River and its communities. Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, CEO of the MRC Secretariat, encouraged continued cooperation with openness and a shared purpose for the benefit of future generations.
