1.A video meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) on Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation was held on 21 May 2020. The meeting was proposed by the Chinese JWG since the annual meeting of JWG couldn't be held in the first half of 2020 as planned due to the epidemic of Covid-19. It was attended by delegations of the six LMC member countries and representatives of the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center (the LMC Water Center), as well as the representatives of Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS) as observer.

2.The meeting was chaired by Dr. Yu Xingjun, Consul (DG level) of Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, Ministry of Water Resources of China, Head of JWG China. The Cambodian delegation was headed by Mr. Khlok Sam Ang, Director of Department of Planning and International Cooperation, Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, Head of JWG Cambodia. The Lao delegation was headed by Mr. Chanthanet Boualapha, Secretary General of Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Head of JWG Lao PDR. The Myanmar delegation was headed by Mr. Win Hlaing, Acting Director General of Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Head of JWG Myanmar. The Thai delegation was headed by Dr. Somkiat Prajamwong, Secretary General, Office of the National Water Resources, Head of JWG Thailand. The Vietnamese delegation was headed by Dr. Le Duc Trung, Director General of Viet Nam National Mekong Committee, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Head of JWG Viet Nam.

3.The representatives of the LMC Water Center was led by Dr. Zhong Yong, Secretary General. The Center provided the technical support for this meeting.

4.The representatives of MRCS was led by Dr. An Pich Hatda, Chief Executive Officer.

5.The meeting followed the agenda prepared by JWG  China and agreed by the other member countries (Annex 2: Agenda of the Video Meeting of JWG in 2020). 

A1. Statement of Heads of delegations 

6.JWG China thanked the other member countries for their support in making this video meeting take place amid the epidemic and highlighted the special meaning of this meeting. Based on the latest development, this meeting aimed at implementing the consensus reached at the 1st Ministerial Meeting of Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation, exchanging views on several important tasks of this year and making preparation for the 4th annual meeting of JWG.

7.JWG of the other member countries appreciated this initiative of JWG China and agreed with the Chinese side to keep the momentum despite the impacts of the pandemic.

A2. Strengthening coordination on LMC funded projects 

8.Each delegation of the six member countries gave a brief introduction of the implementation plan of the LMC funded projects and proposals for 2021（Annex 3）, with the aim of information sharing and identification of support from other member countries if needed. 

9.The JWG of 6 member countries encouraged the joint application of the LMC Funded Project. The LMC Water Center could provide necessary assistance and technical support. 

A3. Enhancing information sharing 

10.The LMC Water Center introduced the concept of the information sharing platform for Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation. The main tasks of this platform include: website portal, interactive map, decision-making support system (including numerical modeling), standards system for information sharing on water, video conference and consultation system (including live streaming) and infrastructure of the information sharing platform (software such as GIS, and hardware such as IT room, devices).

11.Cambodia thought the idea of this platform was good, with fruitful contents. Data and information sharing is important. Cambodia would support the development of the platform and is always willing to cooperate with other member countries.

12.Lao PDR thought the concept of data sharing is good. Regarding to the development of the platform, it is important to have cooperation with other member countries. Lao PDR was happy to see the LMC Water Center proposes to work with the MRCS on the information sharing platform. Lao PDR expected that budget and funding should be made clear in the plan.

13.Myanmar thought it is a good platform, with useful functions and fruitful proposed results. Myanmar is developing the Hydrological Information Center, would be happy to share data, and thank the cooperation of all the other member countries.

14.Thailand was willing to help in the development of the platform. Thailand would like to play the role expected. Thailand had a few concerns. The first one was that JWG Thailand has to show this platform to the line agencies. The second one was that this platform should include MRCS components, for MRCS has a lot of basic data. For the sake of cost and time, JWG Thailand suggest MRCS join the development of the platform. The last one was that each member country has its own responsibility in checking the data that it provides. The platform should only provide data and information approved by relevant member countries.

15. China thought transparency is important and more work would be required. The real-time monitoring is also important. Rather than only by the LMC Water Center, the development of the platform was a task shared by all riparian countries. The financial problem related to water issues could be solved together. China agreed that the platform shall use existing data and information that member countries have, and share among all member countries. The platform could be used for emergency, to address the emergency when it is necessary.

16.Viet Nam thought the concept paper showed that the Center did hard work. Everything seemed to be OK for Viet Nam. Data and information are critical for any cooperation. The member countries shall turn the data into knowledge through scientific analysis, and then send to all the member countries. This was a great step to move forward. The platform should include the data both in the flood season and dry season, especially during the extreme events. Not only focusing on a number of stations, the concept needed to be a little bit broad. Viet Nam was very glad to enter the discussion. Viet Nam thought that the platform should be accessible for both the public and government officials.

17.MRCS was very glad to hear the concept paper. MRCS will follow what has been agreed by its four member countries and hoped the platform would get a good performance.

18.The LMC Water Center thanked for the very good feedback from all other parties. In flood season, using a well-functioning platform, the data collected by the platform will help the member countries to make better decision. Data will tell how to face the challenge. MRCS has a good system and lots of experience. It was suggested that each country could nominate experts to join the development team. More concrete ideas and comments were welcome.

19.Each JWG agreed to provide further comments to the LMC Water Center. The Center would improve the concept paper based on the comments it received, and send the updated version to the JWGs for review.  

A4a. Preparation for the 2nd Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Forum 

20.The LMC Water Center introduced the concept note of the 2nd Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Forum, including the background, objectives, themes and topics, arrangements, expected outcomes and proposed participants.  

21.Cambodia thought it was a good initiative to hold the 2nd Forum after the epidemic, and asked for more detailed plan, so as to avoid the conflict with the 4th JWG Annual Meeting in terms of timing. 

22.Lao PDR suggested to have a discussion in more details about the 2nd forum, such as how many participants, whether the ministers would be invited. Lao PDR will choose speakers after receiving detailed information. 

23.Myanmar had no comment on the concept paper of the 2nd forum. 

24.Thailand took note of the drafted objective in the concept paper is only scoped for the 6 member countries. It is suggested to have a wider perspective and bring international practice to the region. 

25.Viet Nam expected the LMC Water Center work out a detailed plan for further discussion. Viet Nam was concerned about the arrangement of the 2nd forum, for example online or offline, participants etc. 

26.China commented that the arrangement of the 2nd Forum would highly depend on the development of the pandemic. Both online and offline meeting should be considered as per the actual situation.  

27.The JWG of 6 member countries will keep communicating and coordinating with each other on the issue of the 2nd Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Forum. 

A4b. Preparation for the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation 

28.Viet Nam reported the outcome of the 1st Ministerial Meeting and proposal of hosting the 2nd one in 2021 to the Prime Minister whose feedback is positive. However, Viet Nam needs more concrete and specific information for making the decision. The original plan on the selection of the host country for the 2nd Ministerial Meeting was June or July before, but will have to be delayed due to the pandemic.  

29.China thought it important to discuss about and agree with the concept note among the JWGs, before the concept submitted to the PM of Viet Nam.  

30.Thailand thought the 1st Ministerial Meeting held in Beijing was successful and it was a good start. For the 2nd ministerial meeting, it takes some time to have a internal discussion in Thailand and report to the Cabinet. Moreover, Thailand is also concerned about the topics of the ministerial meeting. For example, the information sharing during the emergency cases, the information should be share in time and in an appropriate format. It is important to show what the 6 member countries have done since the 1st ministerial meeting. Therefore, it is suggested that the JWG could evaluate the progress of the outcome of the 1st meeting before starting to make a new one, so as to have a clear understanding on the achievements in the past and the plan in the future.    

31.Myanmar informed that it would be impossible to invite ministers to attend important event in November and December 2020 as there will be the general election.   

32.Lao PDR supported the idea of holding the 2nd Ministerial Meeting in Viet Nam to help understand the downstream situations after the 1st one held in the most upstream. 

33.Cambodia supported that the 2nd Ministerial Meeting would be held in Viet Nam, and wished the LMC Water Center and Viet Nam worked out a plan.  

34.Viet Nam wished to learn from the 1st Ministerial Meeting. The preparation of expected outcome, joint statement, draft concept note will take 1 to 2 months, before the proposal could be submitted and reported to the PM. Viet Nam would like to get the comments of other member countries. Viet Nam asked the LMC Water Center to work out the first draft concept note for further discussion, and proposed to have the 2nd Ministerial Meeting early in 2021 as the ministers will be very busy in November and December. China responded by telling the difficulty with January and February and suggested considering March or April.  

A5. Preparation for the annual meeting of JWG in 2020 

35.Cambodia had already made some preparation for this annual meeting. But due to the epidemic, Cambodia had to delay this annual meeting. Cambodia proposed that November or December would be the appropriate time. This time shall be adjusted according to the real situation. Cambodia requested the LMC Water Center to help with the preparation of this annual meeting, including drafting the agenda. 

36.China thought if possible, the earlier the annual meeting is held, the better. China proposed to consider September or October to avoid possible time conflict with the 2nd Forum. 

37.Lao PDR had no comments. 

38.Myanmar agreed the time of Forum would depend on the pandemic. 

39.Thai had no comments.  

A6. Closing Remarks of Heads of delegations 

40.All the member countries agreed that this video meeting successfully completed the discussion around all the topics, and thanked the LMC Water Center for its hard work and the MRCS for its active participation. 

The discussion was recorded in English on 21st May 2020.