Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 11 May 2018 – With intensive discussions between officials and experts of Cambodia and Viet Nam in Phnom Penh this week, the design and tasks of their bilateral water cooperation along the borders are now getting in shape for the Sesan-Srepok river basin and the Mekong Delta.

The two countries are currently designing a platform for bilateral cooperation with transboundary coordination mechanisms to jointly address water issues. When the representatives of the two countries met in May, they shared the results of national consultations with relevant provinces in the two project sites, and further discussed details of the structures, responsibilities and memberships of each mechanism.

According to the brainstorming discussions, the mechanisms will be likely formed with a provincial delegation of local authorities, an advisory group of water resources experts on flood-drought control and reservoir management, and a joint team of emergency response planning, among other options.

These groups will help collect and share critical data on water resources indicators, regularly meet and negotiate long-term solutions to address priority water issues that affect both countries, and develop a joint emergency response to disasters such as severe flooding. Altogether, they are expected to reinforce bilateral water cooperation.

The formation of coordination mechanisms are part of the two transboundary water resources management projects under the Mekong River Comission’s Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Project (M-IWRMP), which promotes a holistic approach to coordinate basin planning and water resources management in a more balanced way.

Officials and experts of Cambodia and Viet Nam brainstorm on the roles, responsi

Officials and experts of Cambodia and Viet Nam brainstorm on the roles, responsibilities and membership of a bilateral water cooperation platform in Phnom Penh in May.


“Our commitment to bilateral cooperation are very strong, and we have made every effort to make our cooperation realistic and fruitful, based on our Mekong Spirit,” said Wat Botkosal, Deputy Secretary-General of the Cambodian National Mekong Committee who headed the workshop delegation. “I hope this spirited cooperation will continue for years to come.”