“Enhance water management cooperation in Lancang-Mekong region”

Significant achievements have been made over the past years under the LMC framework, including the launch of Lancang-Mekong River Resources Cooperation Information Sharing Center and the organization of the LMC Water Forum, SEI Asia Deputy Director Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa tells China Daily.

Published on 9 September 2022

Media coverage contact

Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa / chayanis.k@sei.org

Mekong Delta, Viet Nam — Photo: Sandip Roy / Unsplash.

Lancang-Mekong countries need to enhance cooperation over water management to tackle extreme weather challenges triggered by climate change, according to experts.

Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa, deputy director of Stockholm Environment Institute’s Asia Centre in Bangkok said, “More frequent extreme events such as drought, heat wave and floods in many parts of the world including the Lancang-Mekong region are a clear effect of climate change and show the need for countries to reduce greenhouse gas emission as soon as possible.”

The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, or LMC, was established in 2016 and brings together countries situated along the Lancang and Mekong River. Member states include China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand.

Known as the Lancang in China, where it originates, the 4,900-kilometer Mekong River is the largest in Southeast Asia.

Krittasudthacheewa, who is also the director of the Sustainable Mekong Research Network, or SUMERNET, said LMC countries should seek the opportunity to learn from each other about how they can engage with the stakeholders to effectively manage water and protect the ecosystem during these extreme events.