(VOVworld) -Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will join the leaders from Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand to attend the second Mekong River Commission (MRC) summit in Ho Chi Minh City on April 5. Representatives from China and Myanmar - the two MRC dialogue partners, development donors, and international organizations will also attend the event.
The summit aims to realize MRC commitments to trans-national cooperation on the sustainable development of water resources and improved utilization of natural resources of the Mekong River region in the context of a rising demand for water, energy and food, and the impact of global climate change on the region.
Le Duc Trung, chief of staff of the Vietnam National Mekong Committee, said: "The summit takes place as the region is facing mounting pressure caused by development demands and an increasing population, especially from activities to develop hydro power plants, agriculture, aquaculture, and river traffic. Along with its benefits, socio-economic development activities also have negative impacts on the ecosystem and the water quality in the Mekong river basin. Leaders are expected to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the basin and the Mekong River Commission’s role in the new period, as well as regional cooperation to improve the effective use and sustainable development of the Mekong River."

The first MRC summit was held in Hua Hin, Thailand, on April 5, 2010 to mark the 15th anniversary of the Agreement on the Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin. It approved the Hua Hin Declaration, and agreed that the meetings would be held every four years. Hosting this year’s event, Vietnam has demonstrated its active membership role in enhancing regional cooperation for the Mekong’s sustainable development. MRC leaders are expected to issue a joint declaration at the meeting.