Thai PM: Cooperation Leads to Sustainable Development of Mekong River

In a speech delivering at the opening of the first Mekong River Commission (MRC) summit held in Thailand’s resort town of Hua Hin, Mr. Abhisit hoped the summit will lead to further development of the Mekong River in the international level.

Leaders from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam also attended the meeting while Myanmar and China are present in observer status.

The first MRC summit has sent a signal to the upper and lower Mekong countries to share responsibility for the sustainability of the Mekong River for the benefit of people in the next generation, Mr. Abhisit said.

"The Mekong River is being threatened by serious problems arising from both the unsustainable use of water and the effects of climate change," he said.

"Co-responsibility not only involves the governmental sector, but also the private sector and the civil sector. All parties must play a role," the Thai prime minister said.

"The (Hua Hin) meeting will help speed up cooperation for the sustainable management of water resources. It is important that all parties learn about the problems that affect everyone living by the river," he added.

"One country alone cannot solve all the problems," he emphasised. "Cooperation is needed to fight those problems.

"Sharing knowledge and data is among the crucial measures to mitigate problems," Mr. Abhisit said.

The Thai prime minister thanked the Chinese government for providing information to MRC for water management in the lower Mekong countries while saying Thailand is ready to support the MRC and expand the cooperative network to develop the Mekong River in a coordinated manner.