Deepening regional bonds through water cooperation

Originating in China, where it is called the Lancang River, the Mekong River flows through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. For the six countries through which it flows, the river is as inseparable as blood vessels in human bodies.

To better coordinate the governance of the river, the six countries set up the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Mechanism in 2016, identifying water resources as one of the five priority areas of cooperation.

As climate change intensifies, the basin faces growing risks of floods and droughts. Water security is closely linked to the overall security of the six countries along the river, and heavily influences regional trade and economy.

Over the past decade, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Mechanism has promoted high-quality development of relations between the six countries, and achieved marked progress in cooperation over the governance of water resources.

The countries established a sound system to manage water resources across the river basin. They jointly formulated two consecutive five-year action plans for the river's water resources, covering the period from 2018 to 2027, and have already held four forums on water resource cooperation.

Waterway transportation has also been upgraded, as reflected in the rapid growth of international trade volume shipped on the river.

At the same time, the six countries have continued to deepen cooperation in talent training. Higher education institutions, including China's Fudan University, Yunnan University and Hohai University have actively participated in training programs aimed at building young people's capacity in water resources management.

In 2015, Fudan University launched the annual Youth Innovation Competition on Lancang-Mekong Region's Governance and Development, attracting young contestants from all the six countries.

The event facilitates exchanges and mutual learning among young people on water resources and other key issues, including public health and climate change response. The final of this year's contest will be held in Wuhan in China's Hubei province, in July.

Cooperation on water resources concerns both the immediate and long-term interests of the countries along the river, and requires sustained attention for decades to come. The six countries need to show both perseverance and an inclusive spirit to ensure their water cooperation continues to deepen.

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