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access
to
water
and
sanitation
for
all
created a regional knowledge hub that supports the member
states in planning and decision making. MRC studies and
assessments, posted on the website for full transparency,
have gone through an extensive process of consultation
within and between countries.
In addition to the MRC’s dialogue mechanisms, strategy
and knowledge base, no other developing basins have such
comprehensive rules of procedures for the management of
their transboundary rivers. In the Mekong, the MRC coun-
tries have established procedures dealing with maintenance
of flows, water quality, water use monitoring, data and infor-
mation sharing, and consultation on infrastructure projects.
Individually and collectively these advanced procedures
demonstrate the countries’ commitment to work together.
The procedures take a cooperative, rather than regulatory,
approach to management.
In 2010, the member states ‘prime ministers met to reaf-
firm the MRC mandate and institute far reaching reforms to
strengthen the organisation’s mode of operation, efficiency
and effectiveness. These changes have been acknowledged by
the independent appraisal commissioned by the development
partners of the Strategic Plan 2016–2020, which concluded
that the MRC is more relevant than ever. The Strategic Plan
has secured approximately 90% of its budget. Member coun-
tries also demonstrated continued commitment both with
taking up and funding decentralised monitoring activities
and increasing the amount of contribution. This is in line
with the MRC roadmap for reforms in which countries will
fully finance core work by 2030.
Over the last 20 years since its establishment in 1995, the
MRC has worked tirelessly to support the member countries
to jointly manage the Mekong water resources in an equitable
manner. Through cooperation with member countries and
development partners, the MRC has generated a large knowl-
edge base, established procedures for sustainably developing
and managing the river, acted as a water diplomacy platform
for riparian states, achieved verifiable evidence of beneficial
changes and has proved indispensable for Mekong trans-
boundary water cooperation and diplomacy.
Chong Khneas floating village on the Mekong basin
Floating market on Mekong River, Mekong Delta, Viet Nam
Image: MRC
Image: MRC