The second Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit opened on April 5 in Ho Chi Minh City under the chair of the host country’s Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the event (Photo: VNA)

The event saw the participation of senior officials from four MRC members of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam and the two partner countries China and Myanmar. Representatives of development partners, observers, and ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh were also in attendance.

Under the theme “Water, Energy and Food Security in the context of climate change for the Mekong River Basin”, the event focused on key current issues in Mekong cooperation.

Participants reviewed the implementation of the 2010 Hua Hin Declaration, deliberated on opportunities and challenges, and outlined measures to continue strengthening the management, sustainable exploitation and development of the Mekong River in the coming time.

A Ho Chi Minh City statement is expected to be issued at the end of the summit.

On April 2-3, Vietnam, in conjunction with the MRC Secretariat, held an international conference themed “Cooperation for Water, Energy and Food Security in Transboundary Basins under a Changing Climate”.

The conference attracted the participation of about 300 delegates from Mekong countries as well as leaders and senior representatives of 20 transboundary basin organisations in Asia, Afica, Europe and America .

Speaking on the sidelines of a preparatory session for the second MRC Summit on April 4, Hans Guttman - CEO of the MRC Secretariat – said Vietnam has taken the lead in implementing the Agreement on Mekong Cooperation, while remaining active in settling differences existing in the commission.

The country has made significant contributions in the operation of the MRC by financing and providing experts, information and data to the commission, he added.

Playing the central role in the commission, Vietnam has made strong commitments in solving issues of the MRC and the region, he added.

Together with other MRC countries and dialogue partners, Vietnam discussed and shared opinions on various issues including water energy, hydropower development, and the reduction of climate change impacts, said Guttman.

Source: vietnamplus.vn