INCEPTION MEETING LAYS GROUND FOR NEXT STEPS OF MI’S LANDMARK WATER PROJECT

Agricultural Development and Commercialization

Water resource stakeholders from the government, research organization and other concerned agencies from P.R. China, Lao PDR and Thailand are meeting today, November 30, 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand for an inception workshop of Mekong Institute’s (MI) project on Transboundary Cooperation Mechanism on Adaptation to Climate Change and Hydropower Development Projects. The workshop lays the groundwork for the implementation of the landmark water project being implemented by MI in collaboration with the Thai Department of Water Resources (DWR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and supported by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund.  

The inception workshop is presenting the project’s objectives, expected outcomes and implementation strategy to members of the Joint Working Group on Water Resources of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation from the three countries, with the ultimate objective of soliciting their commitment to the one-year initiative. The workshop also sets out to identify initial target stakeholders to be consulted for data collection on information sharing mechanisms in the three countries.

The LMC Special Fund-supported project aims to broaden communication and knowledge exchange among experts and key stakeholders on how to better manage water level fluctuations of the Lancang-Mekong River.

MI Executive Director Dr. Wat charas Leelawath explains, “Mekong Institute as implementing agency of the project is working with experts from Thailand and other Mekong countries…so we can also create a better understanding of how climate change affects water resources in the region, but more importantly, how hydropower management plays a role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.”

Mr. Suchart Sirijungsakul, Acting Director of the Bureau of International River Basin Management, DWR, also remarked that the project is “relevant to all countries and complementary to ongoing efforts.” The Inception meeting is the first step to moving forward with the activities of the project.

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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.