On December 17, in Beijing the capital of China, there was a ministerial level meeting on Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation with the participation of six countries of Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Vietnamese delegation is headed by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh, with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Natural Resources and Environment and An Giang Provincial People's Committee.  

The conference discussed and assessed the results achieved in Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation; through the Joint Statement and proposal list of Lancang-Mekong cooperation projects; signed a memorandum of cooperation between the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center and the Mekong River Commission Secretariat.  

At the Conference, representatives of the countries affirmed that Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation will continue to be closely linked to the theme "Sharing water, share future"; coordinate closely in joint actions to implement decisions of senior leaders; make efforts to support the implementation of the 5-year Action Plan for Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation (2018-2022); strengthen and expand cooperation on information and data sharing among member countries in order to achieve a comprehensive information and data sharing mechanism for Lancang-Mekong cooperation; strengthen capacity to prevent and mitigate impacts of water-related disasters and adapt to climate change; enhance dialogue and coordination among member countries on water related issues; promote the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals related to water, maintain a balance between development and protection of water resources; encourage the simultaneous development of Lancang-Mekong water resources cooperation mechanism with other sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.  

Speaking at the Conference, Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh highly appreciated the achievements of the Mekong-Lancang water resources cooperation and affirmed Vietnam's active participation and effective contribution to the cooperation mechanism. this. In order to further promote the role of Mekong-Lancang cooperation for the mutual benefit of all riparian states in the basin. Vietnam recommends that in the coming time, water resources cooperation should give priority to promoting the implementation of the 5-year water resources cooperation plan (2018-2022) through the implementation of joint programs and projects. approved and continue to identify joint projects and activities.  

Vietnam also asked countries to strengthen and expand areas of cooperation, including the sharing of data and management experience and the exchange of scientific-technical information, especially towards achieving a mechanism on sharing comprehensive data information for the whole Mekong River basin; strengthen consultation and dialogue in formulating policies and planning on rational exploitation and use of water resources for the common interests of all countries in the basin; towards building a General Strategy on water resources management for the Lancang-Mekong River basin.  

Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh called on the parties to research, exchange information and experiences; to build general regulations to enhance the application and development of technology for economical, efficient and safe use of water; and to promote the coordination between the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation mechanism and other Mekong cooperation mechanisms, especially the Mekong River Commission.  

At the end of the event, representatives of the six countries adopted a Joint Statement between the Ministerial Meeting and the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation and agreed to regularly and alternately organize the Ministerial Meeting of the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation.  

Lancang-Mekong cooperation has been started since 2016, in which cooperation on water resources has achieved some initial important results, such as establishing a cooperation mechanism on water resources in the basin, setting up and putting into operation the Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center, successfully organizing the first Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Forum, enhancing the data sharing in the whole basin, especially in hydrological data during the flood season, many joint cooperation projects between countries have been developed and implemented effectively. Vietnam has closely cooperated with member countries, has actively participated in the process of establishing Lancang-Mekong water sources cooperation mechanism and has made many contributions to the content and field of cooperation. Vietnam is also proactive in proposing areas of cooperation on water resources and is now promoting the implementation of these proposals.