In a historic Joint Survey coordinated by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Water Center and the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat, experts from six riparian countries – Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Myanmar, and China – embarked on their inaugural visit to the source of the Lancang-Mekong River. This event, from 14 to 20 July 2024, marked a significant step in entire-basin water management and cooperation.

The comprehensive survey took place in the headwaters of the basin, located in Qinghai Province, China. This region, known as Sanjiangyuan, is the birthplace of three major rivers: the Yangtze, the Yellow, and the Lancang-Mekong. The experts diligently observed the water resources and ecological environment in the headwater regions of the river shared by six countries, gathering critical information and lessons learned that would inform future water management strategies.

Over the seven-day expedition, the team of experts delved into various significant sites in Qinghai Province. Their journey included visits to Tang-Bo Ancient Road, Thousand-year-old Salt Field, the Namsei Valley, the first bend of the Lancang River, Karst landform (sinkhole), Lancang River Ancient Human Site, and the Longbaotan Wetlands.

One crucial aspect of this Joint Survey is the generation of information and knowledge about the river conditions. By sharing data and collaborating on assessments, riparian Countries and their peoples have been able to better understand the complex dynamics of the Mekong River ecosystem. This contributes to better monitored and forecasted data on flood and drought that serve as an early warning system for communities vulnerable to these natural disasters and mitigating the impact of such events, saving lives, and minimizing damage to property and infrastructure.

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The commemoration unveiled by the MRC and LMC Water Center

The shared journey to the river’s source symbolizes more than a scientific expedition; it represents a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and mutual trust. As the team of experts traversed the headwaters, they not only gathered knowledge about the river conditions but also strengthened the bonds of friendship.

“This trip can [enhance comprehensively] about the One Mekong, One Spirit all together among the six Member Countries. And we have learned a lot about the joint cooperation between the lower Mekong basin and upper Mekong basin,” said Khem Sothea, Adviser at the Cambodia’s Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology.

Sivannakone Malivarn, Deputy Secretary General at the Lao National Mekong Committee, remarked that, “After the visit, we can see a lot of sharing [of experience] by the Government of China that they’ve tried … to protect the source of the Mekong River. As Laos also has a lot of rivers, this [joint survey provides] some good measures [for us to learn from].” Similar states were made by Nipat Thongprapi from Thailand’s Office of National Water Resources and Nguyen Dinh Dat from Vietnam National Mekong Committee.

Cooperating with upstream nations is crucial for managing the entire Mekong River Basin sustainably. Since 1996, China has been a dialogue partner of the MRC, and we have conducted annual dialogue meetings and technical exchanges every year. In 2002, China signed an agreement with the MRC to share data from monitoring stations in Upper Mekong River (in Yunnan province) during the wet season. This data enhances the MRC’s capacity to predict downstream water levels, particularly during flood events. The agreement between the MRC and China was renewed in 2013 and again in 2019. In 2019, the MRC Secretariat signed an MOU with the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center. Starting from 2020, China has shared year-round hydrological data, including both dry and wet seasons, demonstrating ongoing and increasing trust.

“There’s always different perspective about the condition of the river. But we have the same vision, the same objective of one common river, living in one common community. So, when we have this kind of joint activities – we visit you, you visit us – we can understand each other more. And we can talk about both benefits and also the concerns that we have, and we can share openly – more data sharing, more exchange, more joint studies, and more joint mechanisms, we can surely increase our cooperation. And in the future, we can also have joint projects together to bind our fate – that can make a real difference,” said Dr. Anoulak Kittikhoun, Chief Executive Officer of the MRC Secretariat.

Phase 1 of the Joint Study on the Changing Patterns of Hydrological Conditions of the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and Adaptation Strategies concluded that climate change and development have a significant impact on the basin. Concluded in 2023, it built more common understanding between upstream and downstream countries on the changing flow regime and what measures need to put in place. And this Joint Survey has uplifted the cooperation between the MRC, Mekong countries and China for the regional common good.