Water governance - Open Development Mekong https://opendevelopmentmekong.net Sharing information about Mekong and its development with the world. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 07:05:04 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en-US New mapping reveals hidden mining boom in Laos that threatens the Mekong BANGKOK — A new satellite analysis from U.S. think tank the Stimson Center has identified 517 suspected mines along rivers in Laos, including major tributaries of the Mekong, Southeast Asia’s longest river, heightening concerns about contamination of waterways that sustain local communities. Stimson has not ground-truthed the mine sites identified through satellite imagery, but Mongabay spoke […]

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]]> https://opendevelopmentmekong.net/news/new-mapping-reveals-hidden-mining-boom-in-laos-that-threatens-the-mekong/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-mapping-reveals-hidden-mining-boom-in-laos-that-threatens-the-mekong Vientiane Residents Demand Action Amid Ongoing Water Shortages Many households in Vientiane are struggling with water supply issues, including shortages and low water pressure. Residents are growing increasingly frustrated, as water disruptions continue despite repeated calls for conservation. On 5 March, the Water Supply Department issued an announcement urging residents to save water due to high consumption, frequent power outages, and a prolonged heatwave. These […]

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]]> https://opendevelopmentmekong.net/news/vientiane-residents-demand-action-amid-ongoing-water-shortages/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vientiane-residents-demand-action-amid-ongoing-water-shortages Cambodia will not negotiate over Funan Techo canal: Hun Sen Cambodia’s leader Hun Sen has said that his country would not negotiate with Vietnam over the planned Funan Techo canal, despite concerns about its environmental and geopolitical impacts. A group of Vietnamese experts suggested last week that Hanoi should ask Phnom Penh to delay the project for further discussions. Former prime minister Hun Sen, who […]

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]]> https://opendevelopmentmekong.net/news/cambodia-will-not-negotiate-over-funan-techo-canal-hun-sen/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cambodia-will-not-negotiate-over-funan-techo-canal-hun-sen Rethinking our cities’ link to water Water holds special symbolic significance in Thai culture, from Loy Krathong to Songkran festivals. But as much as we respect the value of water, we must also recognise that failure to care for our water resources puts our lives and wellbeing at risk. Over the last four decades we have transformed the natural landscape of […]

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]]> https://opendevelopmentmekong.net/news/rethinking-our-cities-link-to-water/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rethinking-our-cities-link-to-water PM addresses Mekong Delta’s environment crisis The Mekong Delta is seeing land subsidence faster than the sea level rise and is at risk of sinking, PM Pham Minh Chinh said as he visited the region on Saturday. The rate of land subsidence in the delta, the nation’s agriculture hub, is 3-4 times higher and 10 times higher in some places compared […]

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]]> https://opendevelopmentmekong.net/news/pm-addresses-mekong-deltas-environment-crisis/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pm-addresses-mekong-deltas-environment-crisis China’s integrated water management approach holds promise for sustainable development in Lancang-Mekong River China’s integrated water management approach holds promise in addressing resource management challenges and fostering sustainable development in the Lancang-Mekong countries, said a Thai expert. Piti Srisangnam, executive director of the ASEAN Foundation, said China’s emphasis on comprehensive planning, cooperation, and recognizing the interconnectivity of various sectors and stakeholders has proven effective in water resource management. […]

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]]> https://opendevelopmentmekong.net/news/chinas-integrated-water-management-approach-holds-promise-for-sustainable-development-in-lancang-mekong-river/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chinas-integrated-water-management-approach-holds-promise-for-sustainable-development-in-lancang-mekong-river Australia, Laos Partner on River Basin Management Australia and Laos have been cooperating on water resources management for nearly two decades. Key milestones in recent years include the Sekong Groundwater Management Plan approved earlier this year, the revision of the Water Law endorsed by National Assembly in 2017, the development of key decrees and regulations as well as strategies and management plans […]

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]]> https://opendevelopmentmekong.net/news/australia-laos-partner-on-river-basin-management/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=australia-laos-partner-on-river-basin-management China key contributor to green, sustainable development in Lancang-Mekong countries: Cambodian official, expert China has been a key supporter of water governance and green and sustainable development in the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) countries, a Cambodian official and an expert said on Monday. The LMC consists of six countries, namely China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. So Sophort, secretary general of the Cambodia National Mekong Committee, said the […]

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]]> https://opendevelopmentmekong.net/news/china-key-contributor-to-green-sustainable-development-in-lancang-mekong-countries-cambodian-official-expert/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=china-key-contributor-to-green-sustainable-development-in-lancang-mekong-countries-cambodian-official-expert Mekong River Commission promotes responsible water resources management, development The Mekong River Commission (MRC) is working to promote the maximization of the potential benefits of hydropower and other water-related development projects while minimising the harmful impact on the environment and millions of people living along this Southeast Asia’s largest river. The MRC launched two sets of guidelines for developers to make their projects more […]

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]]> https://opendevelopmentmekong.net/news/mekong-river-commission-promotes-responsible-water-resources-management-development/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mekong-river-commission-promotes-responsible-water-resources-management-development The Precarious State of the Mekong The author Tucker Elliot wrote in “The Rainy Season” about the volatile nature of the Mekong:  “No matter the border, the Mekong has been an indiscriminate giver and taker of life in Southeast Asia for thousands of years. It’s a paradox like civilization’s other great rivers – be it the Nile, Indus, Euphrates, Ganges, or China’s […]

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