Background information

On 13 June 2018, Lao PDR submitted the Pak Lay Hydropower Project to undergo a Prior Consultation process under the MRC’s Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement (PNPCA). The six-month Prior Consultation process officially started on 08 August 2018, following the MRC Secretariat’s review of the completeness of the submitted documentation.

The Prior Consultation process allows the notified countries to evaluate potential transboundary impacts of the proposed water use with technical support from the MRC Secretariat, and to discuss the review findings and recommendations through the MRC’s Joint Committee mechanisms. The process aims to arrive at an agreement on the proposed use and a decision on measures that will apply to the project to avoid, minimise, and mitigate possible harmful effects on the environment and people downstream and upstream.

Considering lessons learnt from the previous implementation of the PNPCA process, the MRC places great importance on stakeholder involvement. It believes that this involvement should aim to inform, consult, and involve potentially affected, interested stakeholders and the public on the proposed Pak Lay project in order for them to share their views, raise their concerns, and suggest solution to make the proposed project a better one. To enhance stakeholder participation with adequate understanding of the project and review findings and to allow enough time for them to provide feedback, the MRC will make relevant information available to the public and share this with stakeholder groups ahead of their participation.

During the Prior Consultation process for the Pak Lay Hydropower Project, two regional stakeholder information sharing sessions are planned, together with a series of national consultation meetings. All of these are based on the Project’s Prior Consultation road map.

Based on the road​map, the MRC Secretariat organised the First Regional Stakeholder Information Sharing on the Pak Lay Hydropower Project on 20 September 2018 at the 5th MRC Regional Stakeholder Forum in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Forum gathered some 160 participants from various stakeholder groups, including civil society, governmental and non-governmental organisations, academia, the private sector, and development partners. Together, they raised concerns and made many recommendations on the proposed project, which are all documented in the Forum Report.

The 2nd Regional Stakeholder Information Sharing on this proposed project is now scheduled for 17 January 2019 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.

Forum objectives

The 2nd Regional Stakeholder Information Sharing on the Prior Consultation Process for the Proposed Pak Lay Hydropower Project will provide a platform for multi-stakeholders to follow up on comments made at the 1st Regional Information Sharing and to provide further comments and recommendations on preliminary technical review findings of the proposed project undertaken by the MRC Secretariat.

Participants

The Forum expects to have the following representatives and participants:

  • MRC Member Countries, including NMCs, Planning Sector and Energy Focal Agencies, and Implementing Agencies
  • Research Institutes and University
  • International NGOs, local NGOs and Civil Society Organizations
  • Local authorities and communities
  • Private sector and companies
  • Development partners
  • Media
  • Other interested groups

    Date and venue

    17 January 2019, Pullman Hotel, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

    This Admin Note provides participants with some useful information on transportation and accommodation

    Fee

    Participation is open and free of charge, but registration is required by 10 January 2019.

    Financial support

    A limited financial support is available to assist participants from civil society and community-based organizations with financial difficulty. In case you request for financial support, please provide information in the online registration form.

    Registration

    Please register here by completing this online registration form. The deadline for registration is before 10 January 2019.

    For media, please send your media credentials (i.e. press pass) to Mr. Sopheak Meas at sopheak@mrcmekong.org after you have completed your online registration.

    Agendahttps://web.archive.org/web/20231205211047/mailto:sopheak@mrcmekong.org

    Documents

    0. Welcome remarks

    1. Comments Matrix from the Regional and National Consultations

    2. Summary of the 2nd draft Technical Review Report

    3. PPT1. Overview and progress with PNPCA for PLHPP

    4. PPT2. Recap of the 1st Regional Information Sharing on PLHPP

    5. PPT3. Reports on National Information Sharing Meetings – Cambodia – Lao PDR – Thailand – Viet Nam

    6. PPT4. Overview and background of the preparation of the 2nd draft TRR for PLHPP

    7. PPT5. Draft TRR – Hydrology and Hydraulics

    8. PPT6. Draft TRR – Sediments and River Morphology

    9. PPT7. Draft TRR – Environment and Fisheries

    10. PPT8. Draft TRR – Dam Safety

    11. PPT9. Draft TRR – Navigation

    12. PPT10. Draft TRR – Socio-Economics Issues

    13. Closing remarks

    THE 6th FORUM REPORT

    FORUM SATISFACTION SURVEY

    Contact points

    For logistics:

    MsSoukouman Viravong

    Administration Assistant
    Mekong River Commission Secretariat at Vientiane, Lao PDR
    Tel: + 856 21 263 263, ext. 4003
    Email:  soukouman@mrcmekong.org

    For media related issues:

    MrSopheak Meas

    Communication Officer for Press
    Mekong River Commission Secretariat at Vientiane, Lao PDR
    Tel: +856 21 263 263, ext. 4012
    Mobile: +856 20 7777 9168
    Email: sopheak@mrcmekong.org

    For participation and sponsorship:

    MsDuong Hai Nhu

    Stakeholder Engagement Specialist
    Tel: +856 21 263 263 ext. 2307
    Mekong River Commission Secretariat at Vientiane, Lao PDR
    Email: nhu@mrcmekong.org