Laos - Laos, Switzerland back preservation of Mekong basin

Laos' Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the government of Switzerland Wednesday signed a new agreement which contributes financial support towards basin development and environmental project activities in the Lower Mekong Basin.

Through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Switzerland committed over US$3 million (3.45 million Swiss francs) in funding towards the MRC's Basin Development Plan Programme and also for its Environment Programme.

The agreement was signed in Vientiane between the Officer-In-Charge of the MRC Secretariat Tran Duc Cuong and the SDC's Regional Director Ruth Huber.

The funding will span a two-year period from November 2011 to December 2013.

The development arm of Switzerland's government is now actively involved in MRC projects again, after a six year absence.

"This renewed support from Switzerland to the MRC expresses the importance of trans-boundary water management in the Mekong basin and our recognition of the efforts of the MRC and its member countries to establish a fully integrated, nationally owned and financed response to the challenge of sustainable and integrated water management," Huber said.

Cuong said this timely contribution from Switzerland will help strengthen the MRC's efforts to bring about improved integrated-river basin management at a time when the Lower Mekong Basin is experiencing rapid development and change.

Today the basin is facing a wide range of trans-boundary and regional challenges. Some of these challenges are changing climate patterns, increasing urbanisation and heightened interest in development on the Mekong mainstream.

The MRC continues to work closely with the governments of the four MRC member countries--Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam--to tackle these concerns by providing basin-wide and integrated approaches to their management and development of water resources.

Additionally, the countries' adoption of the Integrated Water Resource Management-based Basin Development Strategy earlier this year was an important milestone in the history of the cooperation.

"Our highly diverse environment in the region also faces similar development pressures, and Switzerland's latest funding for the MRC Environment Programme is a timely response," Cuong added.

The MRC has supported cooperation among the member countries to secure a balance between economic development, environmental protection and social sustainability within the region.

The programme's aim is to ensure that basin management and development is guided by up to date environmental and social knowledge. It also strives for more efficient environmental management cooperation.

This agreement between the SDC and MRC yesterday is appreciated during this challenging period, according to the MRC.

The SDC is Switzerland's International Cooperation agency, operating within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Phaisythong Chandara

Vientiane Times

Business & Investment Opportunities

YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Consulting, Investment and Management, focusing three main economic sectors: International PR; Healthcare & Wellness;and Tourism & Hospitality. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programs. Sign up with twitter to get news updates with @SaigonBusinessC. Thanks.