Mekong River Commission (MRC) CEO Busadee Santipitaks and Japanese ambassador to Laos Koizumi Tsutomu signed the agreement on March 7. MRC
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the Government of Japan have signed an agreement to support the implementation of the “Project for Strengthening Flood and Drought Risk Management in the Lower Mekong Basin”.
The MRC described the agreement as “a significant step in advancing regional efforts to mitigate climate-related disasters and enhance water resource management across Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam”.
Busadee Santipitaks, CEO of the MRC, represented the commission at the signing ceremony, while Koizumi Tsutomu, Japanese ambassador to Laos, represented his government.
A March 7 press release from the MRC explained that under the agreement, Japan will provide a 725 million yen ($4.9 million) grant.
“This financial support will contribute to improved monitoring, forecasting and response mechanisms to address the growing threats posed by floods and droughts in the Mekong region,” said the release.
The latest document represents phase three of continued implementation of the project.
“Based on a long-standing trust, the Government of Japan remains committed to supporting the Mekong region in building resilience against climate change,” said Koizumi.
“Through this partnership with MRC, we aim to strengthen early warning systems for local people, improve predictions and data-sharing mechanisms and enhance regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and water resource management,” he added.
According to the MRC, the Mekong Basin faces increasingly complex hydrological challenges, with droughts affecting upstream areas and severe flooding impacting downstream communities, particularly during the rainy season.
The MRC plays a significant role in monitoring these extreme events, issuing early warnings, and coordinating responses to mitigate their impacts.
It explained that as climate variability intensifies, Japan’s continued support will help the commission to enhance its capabilities.
“The signing of this agreement comes at the right time, reinforcing the continued strong partnership between MRC and Japan in addressing climate and water-related challenges in the Mekong Basin,” explained Santipitaks.
“It is about turning warning into action. With Japan’s contribution, we will pioneer cutting-edge solutions to safeguard our river’s health and the Mekong River communities as well as invest in a sustainable future for the Mekong River Basin,” she added.
