Viet Nam, Laos promote transboundary cooperation to ensure water security

On March 23, the Department of Water Resources Management (MAE) coordinated with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to convene the annual steering meeting (ASM) of the "Fostering Water Security and Environmental Security in the Ma-Ca River Basins and Related Coastal Areas" project in Hanoi.

The meeting brought together representatives from management agencies of the two countries, along with international organizations, research institutes, universities, and the private sector. This is an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange experiences, align cooperation orientations, and propose solutions for sustainable water resources management, contributing to the protection of ecosystems and the improvement of livelihoods for communities in the Ma-Ca river basins.

Transboundary cooperation to ensure water security

In his opening remarks, Mr. Chau Tran Vinh, Director General of the Department of Water Resources Management, emphasized that water resources play a vital role in socio-economic development, national security, and ecological balance. For transboundary river basins such as the Ma and Ca rivers, effective water management requires close and long-term cooperation among the countries that share these resources.

Currently, the two river basins face many challenges, including altered flows from hydropower development, degradation of upstream forests, rising water demand, pollution, and climate change impacts, all of which directly affect water security and local livelihoods.

The Ma–Ca River Basins is the first bilateral project under the International Waters Programme of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by FAO and executed by IUCN in coordination with water resources management agencies of Viet Nam and Laos. The project comprises five components, including transboundary diagnostic analysis (TDA), cooperation promotion, pilot implementation, development of action programs, and capacity building.

The project aims to address issues related to water resources and ecosystems by strengthening transboundary cooperation, thereby enhancing resilience to climate change.

A key component of the project is implementing a transboundary diagnostic analysis (TDA) to identify key issues across the entire basin. Initial findings indicate risks of agricultural pollution, fish mortality, and an increasing trend in flash floods caused by extreme weather. The TDA report is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, serving as a foundation for implementing pilot projects and developing a Strategic Action Programme.

The project is also assessing hydrometeorological monitoring networks in both countries to enhance monitoring capacity, support the development of early warning systems, and promote data sharing.

Notably, Viet Nam and Laos are promoting the development of a transboundary water resources cooperation agreement between two countries, aiming to establish a legal framework for integrated water management

Mr. Jake Brunner, IUCN representative, noted that issues in the Ma-Ca river basins can only be effectively addressed through close cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized that the developing cooperation agreement will lay a critical foundation for managing both water quality and quantity in the long term.

From the Lao side, Mr. Vinvilay Sayaphone, Deputy Director General of the Department of Water Resources (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Laos), highlighted that challenges in the two basins are intensifying due to the combined impacts of hydropower development, land-use change, agricultural expansion, and climate change. In this context, strengthening transboundary cooperation is essential.

Mr. Vinvilay Sayaphone affirmed that Laos will continue to work closely with Viet Nam on data sharing, enhancing monitoring capacity, and developing unified management approaches to ensure the efficient, sustainable, and equitable use of water resources.

According to Mr. Waleed Abouelhassan, a land and water expert at FAO, the project demonstrates how scientific analysis and policy dialogue can be translated into concrete coordinated actions among countries, contributing to risk reduction and the protection of basin ecosystems.   

Integrating gender equality into water resources management

The meeting was held on the occasion of World Water Day 2026 (March 22), with the theme "Water and Gender Equality," highlighting the role of water resources in promoting social equity and sustainable development.

At the meeting, delegates discussed integrating gender considerations and promoting social inclusion in water resources management, including initial results from TDA's gender component.

Delegates agreed that ensuring equitable access to clean water and sanitation services is not only a technical issue but also a critical solution to reducing gender inequality, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas, where women often play a key role in accessing and using water resources.