Int’l RBOs are often seen as “powerless” or “toothless” when it comes to difficult decisions like dam building. But MRC Secretariat’s Anoulak Kittikhoun argues otherwise. In his interview with Khmer Times he addresses this & several other questions.
Category: Mekong
Layers of regulation in transboundary water governance: exploring the role of third states in the Lancang–Mekong
This paper first provides a theoretical tour d’horizon of this legal problématique, identifying a series of problems and possible solutions based on the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. The practical consequences of this problématique will then be explored in the context of the Lancang–Mekong River, and the interaction between the various legal frameworks at play.
Road transport to see surge post-pandemic ASEAN
For instance, the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA) allows each of the six-member countries – Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam – to issue up to 500 GMS Road Transport Permits and Temporary Admission Documents (TADs) for goods and passenger vehicles registered, owned and/or operated in that country.
Programme promotes India-Mekong Sub-region cross-border trade
A programme to promote cross-border trade connectivity between India and countries in the Greater Mekong Sub region (GMS) was jointly held by trade promotion agencies of Cambodia, Vietnam, India and Thailand on August 19.
Bridging geopolitics and infrastructure in Southeast Asia
For developing countries in Southeast Asia, growing global interest in their infrastructure needs has been cause for both excitement and concern. In 2021, the G7 announced its support for the US-led ‘Build Back Better World’ (B3W) initiative, while the European Union unveiled its own ‘Globally Connected Europe’ infrastructure strategy.
Wet-season dam operations hit Mekong ecology and communities
“With sudden changes in water flows and levels, communities [on the Mekong] have seen their riverbanks and boats washed away, and declines in fisheries [as well as] other aquatic resources which have devastated people’s livelihoods.”
Strengthening Water Diplomacy Through Water Data Sharing and Inclusive Evidence-Based Transboundary Governance
It examines what options exist for improved evidence-based transboundary water governance in the Mekong-Lancang basin building from recent improvements in basin-wide water data sharing. I
Mekong talks not inclusive
Attended by officials via an online communications platform, the organisers of the MRC/ASEAN meeting have been criticised for excluding members of local communities, civil society groups and NGOs, who have criticised management of the river in the past. Without meaningful engagement with civil society groups, each meeting will be just another talk shop.
Programme promotes India-Mekong Sub-region cross-border trade
The programme is part of activities of the Mekong – India SME Internationalisation Programme funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to integrate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of India and GMS member countries into global value chains and promote the India-GMS trade connectivity.
Mekong Basin issues need political will, activists say
“From upriver in China down to the delta in Vietnam, throughout the course of the Mekong River, people are suffering from adverse impacts of hydropower dam projects. I hope the governments of Mekong countries will have courage to discuss this problem and find a substantial solution.”