Deputy PM Le Van Thanh leads Viet Nam National Mekong Committee

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh

Vice Chairmen of the Committee are Minister of National Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha (Standing Vice Chairman), Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep.

The VNMC is responsible for assisting the Prime Minister in directing, managing inter-agency, inter-provincial, and transboundary activities in order to effectively manage and utilize the Mekong water resources and other related resources in accordance with the Agreement on the Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin, the Law on Water Resources, the Law on Environmental Protection and related legal regulations.

It is tasked to study and suggest to the Government chief directions and solutions to deal with important, inter-sectoral and transboundary issues in the Mekong River Basin, including Cuu Long and Sesan-Sreprok river basins.

The VNMC shall assist the Prime Minister in directing, regulating and coordinating relevant ministries, agencies, localities, international-regional-national organizations and partners and individuals in overseeing the implementation of interdisciplinary activities in the Mekong River Basin.

It will assist the Prime Minister in reinforcing relevant ministries, agencies, provinces and concerned organizations and individuals in implementing the Agreement on Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin and related legal documents; undertaking water resources planning for inter-provincial basins; executing approved programs, plans and projects in Cuu Long and Se San-Srepok river basins.

The VNMC will also monitor water resources situation, utilization, protection, sustainable development of water and related resources in the Mekong River Basin with aims to achieving equitable and reasonable use of Mekong river water resources./.

By Huong Giang