The UK becomes a Development Partner of the Mekong River Commission

At the partnership signing ceremony held in Vientiane, Laos, the United Kingdom announced a new support plan aimed at strengthening climate resilience and promoting security and prosperity across the region governed by the Mekong River Commission.

Ms. Catherine West, Deputy Minister from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office responsible for the Indo-Pacific region, stated: "The Mekong River plays a vital role not only in the fight against the climate crisis and nature degradation, but also as a lifeline and source of livelihood for thousands of people across the region."

Through multilateral institutions, the United Kingdom aims to jointly address the challenges posed by climate change with sustainable, locally-led solutions. The UK representative reaffirmed the commitment to share technical expertise in climate science, water resource management, and nature-based solutions.

Previously, the UK and the Mekong River Commission collaborated to develop the “One Mekong” mobile application, which provides real-time river data, water resource forecasts, and community forecasting tools directly to residents and policymakers in the basin.

The upcoming partnership will further enhance the benefits of this collaboration, helping Mekong riverside communities adapt to climate change, protect livelihoods, and maintain biodiversity.

Ms. Busadee Santipitaks, Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat, said: “The Mekong River Commission welcomes the United Kingdom as a Development Partner, thereby further strengthening cooperation to realize the shared vision of a sustainable Mekong Basin. We expect this to help bolster the resilience of riverside communities and protect the diverse ecosystems here, especially in areas frequently affected by natural disasters such as droughts and floods.”

The Mekong River Commission (headquartered in Vientiane) is an intergovernmental organization comprising four member countries: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Established in 1995, the Commission plays a vital role in promoting regional dialogue and cooperation in the Lower Mekong Basin. Based on the Mekong Agreement between Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, the MRC serves as a regional platform for water resource management dialogue and as a knowledge hub to support sustainable development in the region.

The MRC plays an essential role in managing the shared water resources of the Lower Mekong Basin - home to over 80% of the region’s population and one of the most biodiverse river systems in the world.