Publications related to Climate Change

Technical Report – Phase 1 of the Joint study on the Changing Patterns of Hydrological Conditions of the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and Adaptation Strategies

This is the 1st phase report of the Joint Study on the Changing Pattern of Hydrological Conditions of the Lancang-Mekong River Basin and Adaptation Strategies, conducted by the MRC and LMC Water Center. The report identifies two key factors that contribute to hydrological changes in the LMB. First are natural factors, including precipitation patterns, evaporation rates, soil properties and topography. Second are human activities, such as infrastructure development, water management, land cover and land-use changes. These two factors interact and influence the amount, timing and water distribution within the Basin.

Download | Published on:09 Aug 2024 | Language: English

Proceedings of the 1st ASEAN-MRC Water Security Dialogue: Solutions for a Changing Region

This is the proceedings of the 1st ASEAN–MRC Water Security Dialogue, organized on 19–20 August 2021. It captures key messages from the Dialogue, which serves as a platform to exchange novel ideas and identify possible areas for collaboration to further strengthen regional and local capacities in addressing water scarcity, water pollution, and water-related disaster risks, such as flood and drought. The inaugural ASEAN–MRC Water Security Dialogue tables three thematic solutions related to policy, technology, and partnership that can help countries in the Mekong and broader ASEAN address existential water security challenges that confront the region.

Download | Published on:10 Jun 2022 | Language: English

Social Impact Monitoring and Vulnerability Assessment (SIMVA) 2018 Report on 2018 baseline survey of the Lower Mekong mainstream and floodplain areas

SIMVA 2018 is the third survey of its type and was conducted in the same sites and used the same methods of collecting primary household and village data, as the SIMVA 2014 and 2011 exercises. Covering 2,800 households in 200 villages the 2018 survey shows that communities in the Mekong mainstream corridor were still dependent on the river resources for their livelihoods, income, and well-being. As such, they are still vulnerable to changes in the Mekong water resources. However, their overall dependency has decreased with other, non-water resources-related livelihood activities playing increasingly important roles. From 2014 to 2018 the percentage of households engaging in fishing decreased across the region from 50% to approximately 37%. The study also indicates growing incidence of flooding, possibly as a result of climate change and other factors, including water infrastructure development. Government support in livelihood diversification and disaster coping strategies is essential and there is much room for improvement in this regard.

Download | Published on:18 Oct 2021 | Language: English

Completion Report for the MRC Strategic Plan 2016–2020: Achievements

The Completion Report 2016–2020 presents the MRC’s key
achievements in terms of the completion of outputs, the achievements of outcomes and financial performance during the five-year implementation of the MRC Strategic Plan 2016–2020 and its Annual Work Plans. It also includes the lessons learned from that period, and how they formed the basis of the next planning cycle – the Basin Development Strategy 2021–2030 and the MRC Strategic Plan 2021–2025.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.qx5ynu | Published on:23 Jul 2021 | Language: English

Situation Report on Dry Season Hydrological Conditions in the Lower Mekong River Basin: November 2020–May 2021

This Situation Report presents a preliminary analysis of the Lower Mekong River Basin hydro-meteorological conditions over the 2020–2021 dry season. It shows fluctuations in water levels in the upper reaches of the Mekong mainstream in Lao PDR and Thailand, as well as low water volume stored in the Tonle Sap Lake. Rainfall in April–May was the highest on record for these months for the last 18 years in places. Overall, flows in the Mekong in the first five months of 2021 were also higher than the long-term average, except for December 2020 where flows in the Mekong mainstream were closer to normal. But river flows did not increase significantly.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.qx5yo1 | Published on:30 Jun 2021 | Language: English

Project-based Action Plan for Implementing the Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management for Environmental Assets of Regional Importance 2021–2025

This report provides practical guidance to Member Countries and partners on implementing the strategic priorities and actions of the Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management through a coordinated approach. It describes a set of 13 projects forming a coherent work programme across the 12 priority environmental assets of regional importance. The report includes a sustainable funding strategy for Member Countries and the MRC to pursue, an outline of the governance, roles and responsibilities, risk management and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.qx5ynx | Published on:21 Jun 2021 | Language: English

Mekong Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management for Environmental Assets of Regional Importance 2021–2025

The Mekong Strategy for Basin-wide Environmental Management for Environmental Assets of Regional Importance (SBEM) is a cooperative regional strategy to protect environmental and ecological assets, including those providing ecosystem services in the basin. It provides an opportunity to implement a cooperative strategy where capacity can be built, and best management practices and information can be shared. Ultimately, the SBEM will establish a permanent regional network of environmental assets of regional importance within the LMB, which will be protected and managed for generations to come.

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.ajutqu | Published on:21 Jun 2021 | Language: English

Technical Guidelines on the Implementation of the Procedures for Water Quality

The Technical Guidelines facilitates the implementation of the Procedures for Water Quality (PWQ) – one of the five Mekong Agreement’s Procedural Rules. The objective of the PWQ is to “establish a cooperative framework for the maintenance of acceptable/good water quality to promote the sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin.”

Download | DOI: 10.52107/mrc.ay2l12 | Published on:16 Jun 2021 | Language: English

© 2024 Mekong River Commission

Dr. An Pich Hatda

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 
Hatda

Mr. Pham Tuan Phan

First Riparian Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat

Mr. Hans Joakim GUTTMAN

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Mr. Jeremy Douglas BIRD

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Mr. Kristensen Joern

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Dr. Olivier Cogels

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat 

Mr. Yasunobu Matoba

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat