The Mekong River Commission (MRC) Council has agreed on a strategy for joint hydroelectric power development to reduce environmental impacts on member countries.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, as chairman of the MRC Council for 2021, on Thursday chaired the 28th meeting of the MRC Council and the 26th Meeting of the Development Partner Consultative Group.
The meetings brought together ministers from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and the lower Mekong Region's partners from Sweden, the European Union, Australia, and the US. The video-conference meeting was hosted by the Thai government.
The meeting discussed a strategy for joint development of the lower part of the Mekong River Region to reduce cross-border environmental impacts and boost cross-border benefits.
Gen Prawit said the Mekong region faced increasing challenges, including falling river levels, and drought over the past three years.
The region has also been affected by climate change and flooding wreaking havoc on people living on the banks of the river, Gen Prawit said.
Gen Prawit stressed the need for all member countries to work together to ensure the well-being of people in the region.
At the meeting, Gen Prawit also handed over the MRC Council's chairmanship for 2022 to the Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha.