National Interests and Transboundary Water Governance in the Mekong

The study’s objectives are twofold: to understand how the MRC and other water governance arrangements in the Mekong mediate transboundary, national government and civil society interests; and thence to identify ways in which water governance in the Mekong can be improved, particularly insofar as this affects the future role of the MRC. The impetus for the study was a perception that donor assistance to the MRC’s capacity development was not taking the MRC forward as an engaged river basin organisation. The MRC’s resource data and technical information is impressive, and the intentions of the 1995 Mekong Agreement are good. Why, then, are they not being used more proactively for Mekong water governance and regulation?

Cambodia, China, Laos, Regional, Thailand, Vietnam