The 4th Mekong River Commission (MRC) International Conference was opened today, Apr 2 in Vientiane, the Lao PDR under the theme “Innovation and Cooperation for a Water Secure and Sustainable Mekong”.
Scheduled for Apr 2-3, the conference was participated by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and MRC Council Member for the Lao PDR Bounkham Vorachit, Vientiane Mayor Adsaphangthong Siphandone, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat Anoulak Kittikhoun, representatives of international organisations and Mekong member countries.
“Water security problem is increasingly affecting all regions in the world which are already affected by climate change, urbanizations, and natural disasters. These circumstances are expected to get worse if we continue our development without considering such issues. Therefore we need to further attach collective attention to these challenges. Water resource management issues must be properly addressed at local, national, regional and international levels,” said Minister Bounkham Vorachit.
She urged all stakeholders, including public, private sector, international organisations, people and educational institutes to take part in addressing water-related issues and attach special attention to the livelihoods of the poor and disadvantaged people.
“Political commitment to addressing water resource problems in the world remains highly necessary,” she said.
Source: Lao News Agency