The impacts of hydropower developments in the mainstream Mekong basin are under scrutiny at a workshop in Vientiane hosted by the Mekong River Commission (MRC). The findings of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Basin Development Plan 20-year scenario for the lower Mekong basin will be presented at the meeting, which takes place from May 19-20. MRC working group facilitators will present and discuss with participants the next steps in the SEA, especially the identification of measures to avoid and mitigate risks and enhance benefits. The workshop aims to receive inputs and comments from governments and other stakeholders in order to better advise MRC member countries. The Mekong region governments have expressed a strong desire to comprehensively understand the full range of opportunities and risks of any proposed mainstream hydropower projects-particularly those of a regional nature-through a broad stakeholder consultation process, before any decision is taken whether to proceed. Representative from China are participating via the China Ecosystem Study Commission for International Rivers to provide insight into the expected changes resulting from upstream dam developments in China.
Source: Vientiane Times
