For starters, by reducing the flow of freshwater and nutrient-rich sediment from the Himalayas into the sea, these mega-dams are causing a retreat of the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam. The resulting seawater intrusion is forcing rice farmers to switch to shrimp farming or growing reeds.
Category: Mekong
ASEAN, Mekong River Commission to Convene Inaugural Water Security Dialogue
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Mekong River Commission will hold their first ever Water Security Dialogue to garner innovative solutions to address emerging challenges on water security across the region.
Planned new hydroelectric dams threaten mighty rivers worldwide
A case in point is the Mekong river in Southeast Asia, which has turned into a shadow of its former mighty self as a result of numerous hydroelectric dams constructed in recent years throughout much of its length from China to Cambodia. No country along its course has been left unaffected.
How Mekong River is turning into a new flashpoint in Indo-Pacific
Experts view the South China Sea as the most probable area of conflict in Asia. Their attention now has also turned to the Mekong River, where the economic and environmental stakes are arguably much higher.
US, Mekong states deepen cooperation under Mekong-US partnership
The US is a long-standing partner of Mekong countries in promoting peace and prosperity in the region. Our enduring partnership was on full display last week when the US and Cambodia co-chaired the second Mekong-US Partnership (MUSP) ministerial meeting – an important regional mechanism for addressing shared challenges and strengthening cooperation.
Fighting the spread of drug-resistant malaria with genetic surveillance in the GMS
A large collaborative project of in-depth genomic surveillance of malaria has identified and tracked drug resistant malaria parasites in the Greater Mekong Subregion*, helping inform public health decisions in Southeast Asia.
MRC Secretariat CEO urges deeper engagement during Friends of the Mekong Ministerial Meeting
“I call for a deeper and stronger engagement from all our Friends,” Dr Hatda said. The MRC Secretariat became the newest member of the multinational Friends of the Mekong after being invited to join the group in March this year.
Addressing climate change in the Mekong-Ganges region
The newfound attention on climate change at the MGC is a recent development, but a necessary one.
Mekong River group says water levels have decreased downstream despite China pledge
The intergovernmental commission – which counts Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam as members – said the process of restricting water flows from the Jinghong dam, which lies on the upper part of the river in Yunnan province, appeared to have started last Thursday.