Myanmar crisis cited as a challenge to regional efforts to save Mekong River
Myanmar’s ongoing crisis was raised as a possible hindrance to regional cooperation to save the Mekong River, as other countries along the important waterway pledged on Wednesday to strengthen collaboration in efforts to conserve the water resource.
At the quadrennial Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit in Laos’ capital Vientiane, member countries Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia pledged to take proactive measures to adapt to climate change, build a more effective notification system for unusual water flows and other emergencies, and explore innovative financing to pursue these efforts.
The 4,900km-long river, which originates in China, has been decimated over the years by rapid dam building in riparian countries as well as climate change.
Tan Hui Yee
