Hanoi (VNA)
– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend the 4th Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit, themed “'Innovation and Cooperation for a Water Secure and Sustainable Mekong”, in Vientiane, Laos, on April 5.
In an interview recently granted to the press, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh said the 4th MRC Summit will be attended by the Prime Ministers of the MRC member countries - Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam - representatives of the MRC’s dialogue partners - China and Myanmar - as well as its development partners, and international organisations within and outside the Mekong region.
Since 2010, it is held every four years on April 5, which coincides with the date of signing the 1995 Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River basin.
According to the official, the Prime Ministers of the MRC member countries will discuss challenges, difficulties and opportunities for the development of the Mekong River basin based on research results and updated trends in the management of water and natural resources in the region and around the world.
They will also offer strategic guidance on technical activities and partnerships to the MRC, contributing to achieving the MRC’s goals and vision as well as expanding its cooperation with partners.
Regarding the theme of the event, Thanh said the Mekong River basin is now facing significant challenges as development activities tend to increase, putting pressure on water and relevant natural resources. Climate change also makes it hard to ensure water security and sustainable development. Therefore, ensuring water security and the sustainable development of the basin has become an urgent task.
He said in order to meet requirements for the new task, the MRC needs to reform in a bid to achieve better efficiency such as taking advantages of the fourth digital revolution, digital transformation, big data and artificial intelligence. It should also change mindset in cooperation with riverine countries and development partners while increasing the public involvement in the decision-making process.
The theme of this year's United Nations World Water Day on March 22 is "Accelerating Change", indicating the importance of change in behaviour towards water resources, specifically, change in mindset, approach, management methods, technology, and cooperation methods in tapping, using, developing and protecting water resources. The MRC has made efforts to contribute to achieving the UN sustainable development goals. However, it is necessary to renew activities to achieve its vision, he said.
About major activities during the event, Thanh said the MRC International Conference of Stakeholders from April 2-3 attracted over 600 scientists, researchers, managers and activists. It offered them a chance to share the results of studies on sci-tech, policies, mechanisms and management of water and related resources in the region and the world as well as set strategic priorities for the MRC in the coming years.
The Ministerial Conference, scheduled for April 4, will discuss the concerns of riparian countries and the international community, reach consensus on the messages of the International Conference and the Ministerial Conference and review the draft Joint Statement to be submitted to the PMs at the Summit for approval.
A joint statement of the 4th MRC Summit – Vientiane Declaration will be adopted by the PMs at the end of the Summit.
Bilateral meetings among the PMs, and between PMs and partners, and other sideline events will also be held on this occasion, Thanh said./.
