The Training Workshop on Transboundary Water Conflict Management and International Water Governance opened yesterday (1 November) at Mekong Institute, Khon Kaen, Thailand. The 6-day workshop is organized for 27 mid-level professionals and academics from 4 Lower Mekong Basin countries and Myanmar. Dr. Wim J.A.M. Douven of UNESCO-IHE welcomed the participants, and the workshop was officially opened by by Dr. Lam Hung Son, FMMP Coordinator of the Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre. 

The workshop aims to provide different approaches and techniques to address water-related conflicts, including negotiation skills, dispute resolution mechanism based on the Mekong River Commission (MRC)’s mandate on differences and disputes, and principles of international law and treaties relevant to the Mekong context like Mekong Agreement-95. Resource persons from UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, the Compass Foundation, UNESCO-PCCP and the Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre of MRC will also give an overview on international and regional best practices, instruments and case studies in the field of water conflict management. Through this workshop, participants will be able to acquaint with relevant methods and tools of conflict analysis from an interdisciplinary perspective. 

Participants are water specialists from diversified backgrounds, such as public works, foreign affairs, environment and planning. Selected academics from national institutions will also be trained and help to facilitate future workshops in their local languages.