MI LEADS COLLABORATIVE INFORMATION EXCHANGE ON WATER STORAGE STRUCTURE PROJECTS TO IMPROVE CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

Agricultural Development and Commercialization

Mekong Institute (MI), in cooperation with the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) through the support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, is implementing a project that endeavors to strengthen cooperation on hydropower projects and mitigation of associated climate change impacts concerning the six Mekong-Lancang countries, namely Cambodia, P.R. China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.  

Titled ‘Transboundary Cooperation Mechanism on Adaptation to Climate Change and Hydropower Development Projects,’ the project was officially launched through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony held in Bangkok on October 11, 2018.

At the signing ceremony, Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, Permanent Secretary of MoNRE, remarked: “Sharing the same origin, the Mekong and Lancang are an asset to our region. Therefore, water resource management plays a significant role in promoting sustainable development.” 

The one-year project seeks to establish an information-sharing platform that will bring together relevant stakeholders and experts from China and the Mekong countries to broaden and enhance their mechanisms for communication and knowledge exchange, particularly on the analysis and design of technical solutions to better manage and operate water storage structures. Ultimately, it aims to increase public awareness on climate change mitigation as well as impart long-term opportunities and benefits especially for the communities in the hydropower project sites.

In line with this, H.E. Mr. Lyu Jian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Thailand, emphasized the significance of information exchange: “China attaches great importance on water resources cooperation in Mekong countries and has been providing flood season hydrological data of the Lancang River over the past 16 years… This serves as a useful reference for flood control during the rainy season in downstream countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam.”

Concluding on a positive note, he further added: “Today, the signing of the MoU marks another milestone in Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation. The Chinese side stands ready to work with the Thai side to make the project relevant in information-sharing and trust-building. We also believe that Mekong Institute will implement the special-funded projects in a professional manner, as it always does.”

Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, MI Executive Director, expressed: “MI commits to working closely together with the relevant agencies to ensure the effective delivery of tangible outcomes that will mutually benefit all countries.”

The project is supported by the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Special Fund and to be overseen by the Department of Water Resources, MoNRE, with Mekong Institute as implementing agency.

For more information about the project, please contact:

Ms. Jutamas Thongcharoen
Program Manager, Agricultural Development and Commercialization Department
Mekong Institute, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 43 202 268 ext. 3102
Email: [email protected]

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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.