[Tlc] TLC-Mekong

[justinm at ucr.edu]

FYI.
Thanks,
justin

2008-0926 - BKK Post - Sustainable development of Mekong hydropower

http://www.bangkokpost.com/260908_News/26Sep2008_news25.php

THE MEKONG RIVER COMMISSION

Sustainable development of Mekong hydropower

JAMES BOND

The Mekong River Basin is nearly the size of France and Germany combined. It flows through six countries and its water and biodiversity resources are second only to the Amazon River Basin.

The region is so large, that the Lower Mekong River Basin - Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos - is home to about 60 million people, almost a third of the countries' combined populations.

But who are these 60 million people living along the basin? Unfortunately, up to one-third of them are very poor, living on less than US$1 a day. Mainly rural farmers and fishermen and women, these people rely heavily on the resources that the river offers them, both fish and water. Any changes to this aquatic system can have an impact on their lives - whether floods, loss of fishery, impacts to their diet, income and more. So, while the basin has crucial aquatic resources that can offer tremendous benefits to people in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, changes to its flow and system can impact many of the people living along it.

This is why it is crucial to have wide stakeholder discussions around these issues, such as the dialogue being held in Laos from Sept 25 to 27, to discuss hydropower development and the role of the Mekong River Commission (MRC).

In order for any developments in the Lower Mekong River Basin to be developed sustainably, there are five considerations that I would suggest.

The first focuses on weighing benefits and impacts. For any management of the river basin to take place, careful considerations need to be taken. It is essential to establish what the impacts are, how extensive they are, who they impact, and what the ultimate benefits are. We cannot "jump the gun" and say that any developments in the region would have a negative or a positive impact. We need to have information and facts to base any judgements on a solid analytical foundation. Unless careful studies and assessments are conducted, the full extent of the benefits and detriments of developments in the basin cannot be properly evaluated.

My second proposition focuses on the importance of keeping a regional perspective on the basin's development and the political and economic issues at stake in all the Mekong countries. Any development project taking place in the basin cannot be considered in isolation. The studies that need to take place must take into consideration the effects any development will have on the whole lower river basin. Moreover, they also need to take into consideration the regional effects that the development can have, with the aim of ensuring that the benefits of the developments can be widely shared.

The third consideration is properly mitigating the impact on the environment and the people affected. While stakeholder participation and engagement is important throughout all the processes that I have mentioned, it is especially important when social and environmental impact is being managed. Communities need to have a say in this process, as well as civil society organisations and partners. Best practice programmes need to be implemented and this is when it is useful to tap the global and local knowledge that is available.

For example, Laos can draw on the lessons that have and are emerging from the Nam Theun 2 project. The preparation of NT2, with the numerous studies conducted and the at-length consultation processes, paved the way for more participatory, transparent and improved hydropower developments in Laos. These lessons can be evaluated and replicated in future projects so the best social and environmental programmes are put in place in order to effectively manage impact.

Fourth, a key player in all of these developments and considerations is the private sector. There is a need to attract responsible partners that can help the governments appropriately implement social and environmental programmes. While the lure of the construction may be foremost in developers' minds, the importance of developing socially and environmentally sustainable and responsible hydropower projects must also be at the top of the priority list.

In order to bring all these elements together, my last consideration is the importance of the MRC. Sustainable hydropower developments in the Mekong Basin will not be possible unless there is an institution that can liaise and coordinate between the varying interests of all the countries. The MRC can add great value to the whole process of hydropower development, from enhancing the impact assessments that are done, leading the way on cumulative impact assessments, providing policy advice to the various countries, keeping in mind the regional considerations, disseminating information, sharing best practices, engaging stakeholders, ensuring transparency of processes, developing capacity and more. The MRC clearly needs to exercise its role of helping countries cooperate and promote sustainable development of its water as it takes forth its Hydropower Programme.

I believe that these five considerations can help Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos think about developments in the Lower Mekong Basin in a more sustainable fashion. We must all ensure that any developments are truly for the benefit of these countries' populations.

James Bond is Chief Operating Officer of the World Bank Group's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. The above article is based on his speech, made yesterday, at the Mekong River Commission consultation on hydropower.

© Copyright The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2006
Privacy Policy
Comments to: Webmaster
Advertising enquiries to: Internet Marketing
Printed display ad enquiries to: Display Ads
Full contact details: Contact us
______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
3046 INTN
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu