ID :
235059
Fri, 04/06/2012 - 07:20
Auther :

WB grants US$ 8 mln to better Mekong resources management

VIENTIANE.06.04.2012 (KPL) - The World Bank has provided grant assistance worth US$ 8 million to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to be used in improving the trans-boundary management of Mekong resources. On April 4 at the MRC headquarters, MRC’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hans Guttman signed the agreement on the grant support of the World Bank with the World Bank Country Director for South East Asia, Ms. Annette Dixon. The funding is aimed to increase dialogue, cooperation and understanding on integrated water resources management principles among the Lower Mekong countries-Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam through facilitating dialogue and implementation of pilot activities that address key trans-boundary water resource management issues. Some of the main activities this funding will support include improved communication with key stakeholders, including governments, private sector, civil society and local communities, so they are better informed on how uses of water and related resources in one territory could potentially cause trans-boundary negative effects. “Through this support, the MRC will assist the Member countries in applying the integrated water resources management to their national decision-making as well as implementing initiatives on trans-boundary management such as a joint fisheries management project on the Mekong and Sekong Rivers in Cambodia and Lao PDR,” said Mr. Hans. “The Bank’s contribution will bring about greater trans-boundary cooperation among governments and other stakeholders. Already communities in Thailand’s Songkhla Lake Basin have begun meeting their counterparts from Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake and have exchanged experiences,” added Mr. Hans Guttman.

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