2nd Mekong River Commission Summit a success: PM

The second Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit was a success with the most important outcome being the approval of the Ho Chi Minh City Declaration, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

>>> Vietnam hosts second Mekong River Commission Summit

Through the statement, the MRC members continued to declare their solidarity and high commitment to the 1995 Mekong Agreement as well as other processes of the commission, the government leader said before more than 100 Vietnamese and foreign reporters at a press conference on April 5 after the summit’s conclusion.

He said the MRC member countries pledged to further bolster the intra-bloc cooperation and enhance the international role of the commission towards the target of sustainable management and use of the river’s water resources, ensuring water, food and energy security in the river basin.

The commission identified prioritised areas as well as key directions for their future cooperation, he said, adding that it will foster the collaboration with dialogue and development partners as well as related regional and international initiatives.

Regarding the role and contributions of Vietnam at the event, PM Dung affirmed that as the host country, Vietnam actively coordinated with the MRC Secretariat and the members to prepare for the summit, while contributing to the building of the summit agenda and discussion content.

Heads of delegations to the summit

Many opinions and proposals of Vietnam were applauded by the members and added to the details of the Ho Chi Minh City Declaration, said the PM.

Prior to the summit, Vietnam, in conjunction with the MRC Secretariat, held an international conference themed “Cooperation for Water, Energy and Food Security in Transboundary Basins under a Changing Climate” that attracted the participation of more than 300 delegates from home and foreign countries.

During the summit, Vietnam also highlighted its interest and priorities to the stability and sustainable development of the river and the Mekong Delta in particular, he said. The country also underlined the efforts and measures that it has made to preserve security of watercourses and the ecosystem in the river lower stream, said PM Dung.

He noted that Vietnam also committed to continue its affiliation with the commission member countries as well as partners to promote the role of the body and the Mekong cooperation.

During the press briefing, PM Dung also answered reporters’ questions in prominent issues in the Mekong partnership, including the ensuring water, energy and food security in the context of increasing demand for water resources under the pressure of economic growth and negative impact of climate change.

According to Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang, the challenges that Mekong basin countries face can only be solved with the close international cooperation as well as the strict implementation of political commitments of all parties involved.

He also emphasised the need for full and effective mechanisms and dialogues between the countries, and reiterated the commitments of the member countries, including Vietnam, in realising the Ho Chi Minh City Declaration.