General

1. The 2nd Meeting of JWG on Water Resources of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation and International Conference “Transboundary Water Resources and Related Resources Coopertion” was held in Chiang Rai, Thailand on 1-2 March 2018. The Meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Worasart Apaipong, Director General, Department of Water Resources, Ministry of National Resources and Environment, Thailand and Dr. Yu Xingjun, Consul (DG level), Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) China. Participating Head of delegation from Member Countries are Cambodia: Mr. Khlok Sam Ang, Director of Department of Planning and International Cooperation, Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, Lao PDR: by Mr. Chanthanet Boualapha, Secretary General of Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat, Myanmar: Mr. Thaung Lwin, Deputy Director General of Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems, Ministry of Transport and Communication, Viet Nam: Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Linh, Deputy Director General of Viet Nam National Mekong Committee. The Meeting has been convened in the spirit of cordial friendship.

Matters for Information

2. Progress report since the 1st Meeting of JWG on Water Resources

The Meeting took note of the report made by Member Countries on the progress thus far. In this connection, China improved the Communication Channel, established the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center, strengthened the High Level Visit with the Mekong Countries, technical exchanges and cooperation, conducted Staff Training for Mekong Countries and implemented the information sharing. Thailand placed emphasis on Joint Research, Flood & Drought Disaster Management establishment. Thailand also proposed to further discuss issues related to extreme event, significant change, transboundary disaster, flood and drought. Thailand further informed the Meeting that the timelines of the project funded by the MLC Special Fund shall be revised in accordance with internal procedures. Viet Nam informed the Meeting that Viet Nam is now working with internal procedures to receive the funding for the project on Strengthening Flood and Drought management capacity in the Lancang-Mekong basin.

3. Outcome of the 3rd MLC Foreign Minister Meeting

The Meeting expressed appreciation to the report from the Chinese side on the outcome of the 3rd MLC Foreign Minister Meeting on 15 December 2017 in Dali, China which aims to build a community with a shared future for mankind in the six Lancang-Mekong countries.

4. Outcome of the 2ndMLC Leaders’ Meeting

The Meeting took note of the report by Cambodian side on the 2nd MLC Leaders’ Meeting on 10 January 2018 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia whereby the Leader endorsed 2 outcome documents namely the Phnom Penh Declaration and Five Year Plan of Action on Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (2018-2022).

5. Progress report of Mekong –Lancang Water Resources Cooperation Center

The Meeting commended China for their thorough report on the MLC Water Resources Cooperation Center which will become a comprehensive supporting platform for the technical exchanges, capacity building, drought and flood management, data and information sharing and joint research among the LMC countries in the field of water resources management.

6. Transboundary Cooperation Mechanism on Adaptation to Climate Change and Hydropower Development Projects

The Meeting supported Thailand’s proposal on “Transboundary Cooperation Mechanism on Adaptation to Climate Change and Hydropower Development Projects” which has been funded by the MLC Special Fund. In this connection, the Meeting continued detailed discussion on the above project in the afternoon session whereby each Member Countries’ national focal points were assigned.

7. Introduction of Mekong-Lancang Water Resources Cooperation Forum

The Meeting took note with appreciation the report by the Chinese side on the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Forum (LMWRCF) which aims to provide an open platform for exchanges on water resources in order to promote the management and utilization of water resources through policy dialogue, technical exchanges and experience sharing. It was also conveyed that the first forum will be hosted by the Ministry of Water Resources of China. The Chinese side preliminarily suggests that the forum be held in China for two days in September or October in 2018. Considering the common concern on flood control in the riparian countries, it is suggested that the theme for this forum be Prevention and Management of Flood and Drought. Thailand suggested that the training need assessment should be incorporated in the Forum.

8. Progress report of drafting “Five-Year Plan of Action on LMC Water Resources Cooperation”

The Meeting appreciated the progress report as well as the proposed outlines prepared by the Chinese side on the Five-Year Plan of Action on LMC Water Resources Cooperation, encouraged a more detailed comments on the proposed outlines.

Thailand further commented that annual activities should be prioritised in which the first priority shall be given to the Joint Research on Emergency of Flood and Drought.

Viet Nam informed the Meeting that this matter needs further consultation with their Line Agencies and will send their feedback in due course. Viet Nam suggested the flexibility on the timeline with the view that the Action Plan could be completed earlier than proposed.

9. Introduction to Concept on Establishing flood season hydrological data sharing mechanism under LMC

The Meeting took note of the Chinese report on the overview, current data sharing and new concept of data sharing mechanism under LMC. China can provide hydrological information in the flood season in the Lancang River to the other five countries directly, with the same station, content, time and frequency of the flood information as that provided to the MRC.

Cambodia welcomed the Chinese proposal with some concerns on operating mechanism and budget.

Lao PDR welcomed the new concept and informed the Meeting that Lao PDR has established the National Water Resources Data and Information Center and is of the hope that the information can be linked with the LMWRC. Moreover, Lao PDR wishes that their Center will be able to share information to other Member Countries.

Thailand welcomed the proposal while expressed that there is a need for further internal discussion among Line Agencies.

Viet Nam welcomed the proposal with the view that there is a need for information synchronization in the current flood forecasting system and that they shall carry on with internal consultation.

Matters for Consideration

10. Next-step work plan for the Five-Year Plan of Action on Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation

The Meeting concurred with the next-step work plan for the Five-Year Plan of Action on Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation.

11. Work Plan of JWG in 2018

The Meeting appreciated and agreed to the Work Plan of JWG in 2018 made by Thailand.

12. Discuss and establish flood season hydrological data sharing mechanism under LMC

The Meeting concurred with Thailand’s proposal on the establishment of flood season hydrological data sharing mechanism under LMC. Thailand further recommended that in order to maintain the sustainability and effective implementation, not only the involvement of technical officers from Member Countries but also the research institutions and universities is imperative.

13. Discuss and adopt international cooperation plan and concept paper of approved LMC fund projects

The Meeting adopted the international cooperation plan and concept paper of approved LMC fund projects as proposed by China, Lao PDR and Viet Nam.

14. Other matters

Viet Nam proposed the Meeting to consider the status of MRCS as observer to the Meeting of MLC JWG and that a MoU between the LMWRMC and MRC should be further explored. They further proposed that MRCS be invited to join the next Meeting of MLC JWG.

15. Next Meeting

The 3rd Meeting of JWG will be hosted by Viet Nam and the venue and date will be informed to other Member Countries later.

As part of the Meeting program, Thailand will organize the international conference on Transboundary Water Resources and Related Resources Cooperation followed by a field visit to Doi Tung Royal Development Project.

Delegates expressed their appreciation for the kind arrangement and hospitality of Thailand as host country of the Meeting.

The minute was recorded in English in Chiang Rai Province on 1 March 2018, in six copies.