Germany, EU Support Cross-Border Water Cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Germany and the European Union (EU) have renewed their support to strengthen transboundary water cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

In a news release, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) said last week that it signed agreements with the government of Germany and the EU worth EUR 8.92 million (about $10 million) to enhance cross-border water cooperation, at the sidelines of the 25^th Meeting of the MRC Council in Ha Long City, Viet Nam.

Germany is providing $4.6 million to support increased dialogue and cooperation on transboundary water resource planning and management among the lower Mekong countries—Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Thailand, and Viet Nam—who are members of the MRC. Covering the period 2019–2021, much of the funding will go to transboundary projects between Cambodia and Lao PDR, and Cambodia and Thailand to improve Mekong basin resource management and address flood and drought issues.

With the European Union, the new financial agreement, worth EUR 4.92 million (approx. $5.55 million), was signed by CEO Pham and Ambassador of the European Union to Thailand Mr. Pirkka Tapiola.

The EU funding equivalent to $5.55 million will support the implementation of the MRC strategic plan 2016–2020, primarily to promote and coordinate sustainable development and management of the Mekong water and related resources in the four member countries.  

The MRC is an intergovernmental organization for regional dialogue and cooperation in the lower Mekong river basin, established in 1995 based on the Mekong Agreement between Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The organization serves as a regional platform for water diplomacy as well as a knowledge hub of water resources management for the sustainable development of the region.

Read the news release at the MRC website.