TRANSBOUNDARY WATER COOPERATION

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Promoting Climate Change Resilience in Mekong River Basin Communities
Climate change has brought about extreme droughts and floods across the Mekong-Lancang River basin, resulting into a chain of impacts including water scarcity and decline in agricultural produce. Against such backdrop, hydropower and large water storage structures offer immense potential in helping manage the water flow and in building the resilience of communities in the basin. In October 2018, Mekong Institute, together with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand launched the project on Transboundary Cooperation Mechanism on Adaptation to Climate Change and Hydropower Development Projects. The Project aims to improve joint-evidence based information collection, analysis, and sharing; and support decision-making to improve communication on issues concerning water flow and water level fluctuations in the Mekong River as a result of climate change. By so doing, it also hopes to promote greater collaboration and information exchange of key stakeholders.

FUNDED BY

MEKONG-LANCANG COOPERATION SPECIAL FUND

OBJECTIVES

  • Initiate a concrete mechanism for cooperation through a data/information-sharing platform on water level/flow fluctuations and reservoir management
  • Increase community awareness of climate change impacts and mitigation and adaptation measures
  • Broaden people’s understanding of the significance of hydropower development projects and their operations

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

  • Enhanced information-sharing among concerned agencies in the six member countries on water level fluctuations and adaptation measures
  • Improved awareness of the public of the impacts of hydropower development projects and its role in reducing risks from flow level fluctuations and climate change uncertainties
  • Better understanding of communities in the project areas of the opportunities of hydropower development in supporting long-term livelihood.

ACTIVITIES

  • National consultations with key stakeholders to identify experiences and issues concerning water level fluctuations
  • Regional forum to facilitate sharing of experiences and the development of adaptation measures
  • Formulation of strategies that lay down the information-sharing mechanism among key stakeholders and agencies in Cambodia, P.R. China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam

TARGET SECTORS

  • Relevant government agencies and academic and research institutes in the six member countries
  • Hydropower companies

WAYS FORWARD

  • Pilot applications of transboundary cooperation mechanisms to improve the communications on water level/flow risks in the six member countries
  • Identifying technical solutions in managing water fluctuations and formulating livelihood options for affected communities

Related Publication

Project Duration : 2018 - 2019

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Mrs. Guohua Liu

Director, Sustainable Energy & Environment (SEE) Department

Mrs. Liu Guohua is the Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department at the Mekong Institute. Prior to this role, she worked in the Department of International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, where she played a key role in shaping and implementing China’s cooperation strategies with UN development agencies. During this time, Mrs. Liu was actively involved in advancing initiatives related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate change and green development. Additionally, she contributed to the evaluation of projects funded by various Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, etc.

In addition to her work in the Department of International Economic Affairs, Mrs. Liu has an extensive diplomatic background. She spent 7 years in the Department of African Affairs, followed by a 4-year tenure at the Chinese Embassy in Lao PDR, where she gained deep expertise in both Southeast Asian and African affairs. These diverse experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her approach to sustainable development and international collaboration, particularly in building regional partnerships and tackling global challenges like climate change.

She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, with a specialization in Finance, from the Central University of Finance and Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, specializing in International Economics and Trade, from the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.