This Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred to as “MOU”) is entered between the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center (LMC Water Center) and the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS), hereinafter referred to individually as “Party” and collectively as “Parties”.

The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC), initiated by the Governments of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, is a new type of sub-regional cooperation mechanism that aims to promote sustainable socio-economic development of the six member countries, advance the Belt and Road Initiative through consultation and collaboration, and narrow the development gap among the member countries. The water resource is one of the key priority areas of the LMC, and the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation has been set up by the six member countries as a decision-making coordination body to advance pragmatic cooperation in the field of water resources for Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. The LMC Water Center, established in June 2017, in accordance with the Sanya Declaration of the 1st LMC Leaders' Meeting on 23 March 2016, serves as a platform for the LMC countries to strengthen comprehensive cooperation in technical exchanges, capacity building, drought and flood management, data and information sharing, and joint research and analysis related to water resources. The LMC Water Center works under the guidance of the JWG.

The MRC, established by the Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin signed on 5 April 1995, consisting of the Council, Joint Committee and Secretariat, is the organization mandated by the Governments of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, to promote and coordinate the sustainable development of the Mekong River Basin in all relevant fields. The People's Republic of China and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar are the MRC Dialogue Partners. The MRC has adopted core river basin management functions, including data and information sharing, monitoring, forecasting, and assessment; basin planning; water utilization Procedures implementation; and promoting dialogue, partnership and cooperation. The MRCS renders technical and administrative services to the Council and Joint Committee, and is under the supervision of the Joint Committee.

The Parties recognize that water constitutes critical natural resources and valuable assets on which peoples of the riparian countries rely for existence, especially in the context of global warming and climate change. The LMC and MRC both are dedicated to contributing to livelihood improvement and sustainable socio-economic development through sustainable management and utilization of water resources in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin.

The Parties are pleased to observe that cooperation and integration at the regional level are gaining momentum, among which the LMC and MRC have conducted fruitful exchanges, joint research and collaboration on sustainable water resources development and management.

Seizing opportunities for further cooperation, the Parties decide to cooperate in areas of experience sharing, data and information exchange, monitoring, joint assessment and joint research and study, knowledge management and associated capacity building relating to water and related resources development and management so as to jointly promote sustainable social and economic development of the Lancang-Mekong countries.

The Parties will further discuss and develop specific work plans and joint activities for synergy in regional water resources cooperation.

The Parties will report on the progress of joint activities to the JWG on Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation and the MRC Joint Committee respectively on an annual basis or upon request. The JWG and the JC approved this MOU.

The Parties decide to designate the responsible contacts for the activities under this MOU as follows:

LMC Water Center: Director for Communication & External Relations, Beijing, the People's Republic of China

MRCS: Chief Strategy & Partnership Officer, Office of the Chief Executive Officer, Vientiane, the Lao People's Democratic Republic

The MOU does not create any rights or legally binding obligations upon both Parties and does not constitute a treaty under international law.

This MOU will become effective upon signature by both Parties for a period of 5 (five) years from the date of signing. It will be extended automatically for another 5 (five) years unless by written notice from either party 60 days prior to the expiration date.

Signed in Beijing, China, on 17 December 2019, in English, in two copies, both being equally authentic.