The Joint Working Group on Water Resources Cooperation of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as the “Joint Working Group”) held its first meeting in Beijing on February 27, 2017. Delegations of the six Lancang-Mekong countries participated in the meeting. Before the meeting, H.E. Mr. Zhou Xuewen, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources of China, met with the delegates. Mr. Liu Zhiguang, Director General of Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, Ministry of Water Resources of China and Ms Cao Jing, Counsellor of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China attended the meeting and delivered welcoming remarks. The meeting was presided over by Mr. Yu Xingjun, Head of the Chinese Working Group and Deputy Director General of Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, Ministry of Water Resources of China. The meeting was convened in a friendly, constructive and practical atmosphere.

The meeting adopted the agendas of the first meeting of the Joint Working Group and conducted frank exchanges and discussion. With the joint efforts of delegations of all countries, the meeting was successfully concluded. The result of the meeting was recorded as follows:

I. Discussed and approved the Concept Paper of the Joint Working Group and formally established the Joint Working Group

The meeting discussed and approved the Concept Paper of the Joint Working Group on Water Resources Cooperation of LMC. All the countries agreed to formally establish the Joint Working Group, and will submit the lists of heads of delegation and focal point(s) to China by the end of May, 2017. The Chinese side will compile and circulate the final list to each country not later than June, 2017.

II. The Chinese side introduced relevant achievements of the Second LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

The representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China introduced relevant issues about the Second LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, such as formulating a five-year LMC action plan, initiating the collection of the second batch of cooperation projects, and applying for LMC Special Fund, etc.

All the countries expressed appreciation to China for setting up LMC Special Fund, and expressed the willingness to strengthen communication and coordination, and actively apply for the water resources cooperation projects.

III. National report on cooperation achievements in 2016 and expectations

Heads of delegations of JWG of all countries introduced progresses as well as future cooperation expectations and suggestions on water resources cooperation under the LMC mechanism. Delegates of the Mekong countries expressed their high appreciation and gratitude to China for the cooperation, including emergency water supplement to Mekong River when the Mekong basin experienced severe drought in 2016, conducting training programs and technical exchanges with the Mekong countries. All countries expressed the common willingness to further strengthen cooperation.

IV. The 2017 work plan of water resources cooperation of LMC

Delegates of all countries agreed to establish a drafting group to draft “Five-Year Action Plan on Water Resources Cooperation of LMC” under the Joint Working Group in accordance with the relevant arrangement of the Second LMC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The name list of which will be proposed by each country by March, 2017. The drafting group is encouraged to maintain close contact with a view to finalize the draft Five-Year Action Plan by the end of 2017.

Delegates of the Mekong countries expressed their appreciation on the establishment of Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center initiated by China as early harvest project. They expressed their willingness to get actively involved in the establishment and operation of the Center through human resources provision and information exchanges. The Center is expected to play an active role in promoting Water Resources Cooperation of LMC.

The Chinese side introduced new proposal of cooperation projects including the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Forum, joint research, capacity building and technology cooperation, etc. The Chinese side will apply for LMC Special Fund to support proposed projects, and expressed hope that the projects will be implemented jointly with the Mekong countries. Delegations of the Mekong countries welcomed and supported project proposal from China, and will maintain communication with the Chinese side on project design and implementation. The Mekong countries are also organizing application for LMC Special Fund according to Management Regulations of LMC Special Fund. Apart from the LMC Special Fund, all the member countries are encouraged to seek additional resources to support the cooperation projects.

Delegates of all countries discussed and agreed on the work plan for the water resources cooperation in 2017.

V. Other issues

Delegates of all countries expressed the willingness to strengthen communication and coordination, to jointly and timely respond to the flood and drought disasters under climate change, and promote sustainable development in the region, and make positive contributions to common prosperity and people’s well being of all Lancang-Mekong Countries.

In this regard, Vietnam proposed to establish a hot-line system formed by national focal points.

VI. The second meeting of the Joint Working Group

According to alphabetical order, Cambodia will host the Second Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Water Resources Cooperation. However, due to internal event in 2017 and 2018, Cambodia suggested other countries to hold the Second Meeting of the Joint Working Group. Thailand expressed the willingness to host the second meeting of the Joint Working Group, and will confirm through diplomatic channel by the end of March, 2017. Vietnam also expressed the willingness to host the second meeting of the Joint Working Group.

As part of the meeting program, the Chinese side will organize a field visit to Nuozhadu hydropower station, Jinghong hydropower station, fish breeding stations and relevant hydrological stations on the Lancang River.

Delegates of all countries expressed their gratitude for the kind arrangement and hospitality of the Chinese side as the host of this meeting.

The minutes was recorded in English in Beijing on February 27, 2017, in six copies.