Directory of Economic, Commodity and Development Organizations - table of contents

MEKONG RIVER COMMISSION (MRC)

Commission du Mekong


HEADQUARTERS


Mekong River Commission Secretariat                       Postal Add.:   P.O. Box 1112
364 M.V. Preah Monivong Boulevard                         Telephone:     [855](23)72-0979
Phnom Penh                                                Facsimile:     [855](23)72-0972
Cambodia                                                  E-Mail:        mrcs@mrcmekong.org
                                                          Internet:      www.mrcmekong.org

           Chief Executive Officer
             of the MRC Secretariat:     ...    Joern KRISTENSEN


LANGUAGE: English

ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNCTIONS

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) was established with the signing of the Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin in Chiang Rai, Thailand, on April 5, 1995. The Agreement was signed by the four riparian countries: Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thailand and Viet Nam. The Commission replaced the Mekong Committee established in 1957 and the Interim Mekong Committee established in 1978.

The Commission's objective is to cooperate in all fields of sustainable development, utilization, management and conservation of the water and related resources of the Mekong River Basin including but not limited to irrigation, hydro-power, navigation, flood control, fisheries, timber floating, recreation and tourism, in a manner to optimize the multiple-use and mutual benefits of all riparians and to minimize the harmful effects that might result from natural occurrences and man-made activities.

MRC's Core Programmes are (1) Basin Development Plan, (2) Water Utilization Programme, and (3) Environment Programme. A Capacity Building Programme provides cross-cutting support to all areas. Sector Programmes are carried out in the areas of Fisheries, Agriculture, Irrigation and Forestry, Navigation and Water Resources Management. A Flood Management and Mitigation Team works cross-divisionally.

The MRC depends on resources from member countries, international donor community and cooperating agencies.

COMPOSITION

4 member countries: Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thailand, Viet Nam

STRUCTURE

The MRC has three permanent bodies, namely: (1) The Council (at Ministerial/Cabinet level); (2) The Joint Committee (at no less than Head of Department level); and (3) The Secretariat (the technical and administrative arm of the Commission).

GENERAL PUBLICATIONS

Mekong Work Programme (annual); Annual Report; Mekong News; Mekong Development Series; Technical Paper Series. A full listing of publications can be found on the MRC website at www.mrcmekong.org

UPDATED:  December 2003

Directory of Economic, Commodity and Development Organizations - table of contents