On the morning of April 5, in Vientiane, Laos, the 4th Summit of the Mekong River Commission was held with the theme "Innovation and cooperation to ensure water security and sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin".
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the 4th Mekong River Commission Summit - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
The conference was attended by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Secretary General of the Thai Water Resources Office Surasri Kidti Monton, along with leaders and representatives of Dialogue Partners, Development Partners, international and regional organizations, social and community organizations.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Secretary General of the Thai Water Resources Office attended the Conference - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
At the Conference, the countries highlighted the important role of the Mekong River, as well as the role and contribution of the Mekong River Commission in efforts to protect, manage and sustainably use the Mekong River water resources. The countries affirmed their highest political commitment to the effective implementation of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, supported the role of the Commission as the leading water cooperation forum in the region, and proposed cooperation priorities, emphasizing the importance of building and implementing basin development plans, joint projects, enhancing data sharing, responding to climate change, enhancing innovation, applying new technologies, and supporting people and communities in the face of river fluctuations.
Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone speaks - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Speaking at the Conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the indispensable role of the Mekong River Commission, highlighted the important achievements that have been made, affirmed the long-term value of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, significantly contributing to economic and social development, environmental protection and improving the lives of nearly 70 million people in the Basin.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hunsen speaks - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Expressing concern over unprecedented challenges facing the Mekong Basin, especially the Mekong Delta, due to the combined impact of climate change, the pressure of economic development requirements and the rapid increase in water use, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the need to renew cooperation thinking and take breakthrough steps, and in that spirit, made proposals on the Commission's cooperation orientation in the coming time.
Firstly, it is necessary to reaffirm the strongest commitment to strictly comply with and implement the 1995 Mekong Agreement, as well as the established Water Use Regulations, while focusing on implementing well the plans and strategies of the Commission.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the indispensable role of the Mekong River Commission and highlighted the important achievements it has made - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Second, all policies and actions need to be people-centered, with a whole-of-people, comprehensive and basin-wide approach, to ensure sustainable livelihoods for people, enhance the adaptability and self-reliance of each community in the face of rapid changes today; at the same time, strengthen cooperation in preventing and combating transnational crimes in the Mekong sub-region.
Third, strengthen coordination between the Commission and other sub-regional cooperation frameworks, including promoting its role as a knowledge center, providing information, data, and advice to cooperation mechanisms.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed the Commission's cooperation orientation in the coming time - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Fourth, promote the development of green economy, circular economy, develop renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, connect and upgrade the regional power grid, thereby contributing to sustainable development, ensuring energy security and responding to climate change.
Fifth, promote cooperation in waterway transport to enhance economic connectivity, promote trade, and ensure safe and efficient transport without harming water resources and the ecological environment.
International delegates attending the Conference - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Sixth, strengthen cooperation with partners to mobilize support in terms of financial resources, knowledge, experience and modern technology, linking the Commission's activities with efforts to implement the ASEAN Community Vision and other major international agendas.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to Mekong cooperation, has been and will continue to participate in the activities of the Commission in a proactive, positive and constructive manner to contribute to the full implementation of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, promote the "Mekong cooperation spirit", ensure the harmony of interests of the peoples of the countries, the interests of the countries in the Basin, between people and nature, between today's generation and future generations, and realize the common goal of sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin, leaving no one behind.
At the end of the Conference, the Heads of Delegations adopted the Joint Statement - Vientiane Declaration to continue affirming the highest political commitment of the four member countries, the goals and principles of cooperation for the sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin as well as identifying the cooperation focuses of the Commission in the coming time./.
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