Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the fourth Mekong River Commission Summit in Laos. Photo: VOV

However, PM Chinh pointed out major challenges faced by the region due to the synergistic effects of climate change, economic development pressure and the rapid increase in water use, and said those impacts are becoming more and more severe in the downstream areas of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

This will directly affect the livelihoods of more than 20 million people living in the basin, as well as efforts to ensure water and food security for countries in the basin, he warned. The Prime Minister put forth proposals on cooperation orientation of the Commission.         

“First, it’s necessary to reaffirm the strongest commitment, strictly abide by and implement the 1995 Mekong Agreement, establish regulations on water use, and focus on well implementing the Commission's plans and strategies. Second, all policies and actions need to be people-centered, with an all-people, comprehensive and basin-wide approach, in order to ensure sustainable livelihoods of people, and enhance the adaptability and resilience of each community to the current rapid changes. Third, strengthen the coordination between the MRC and other sub-regional cooperation frameworks, in which the role of the MRC's knowledge center should be respected.”

Prime Minister Chinh affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to Mekong cooperation and continues to participate in the MRC actively and constructively, harmonizes the interests of the peoples and of the countries in the basin, and realize the common goal of sustainable development and leaving no one behind.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Chinh met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The three Prime Ministers agreed to continue maintaining the form of meetings between the three Prime Ministers to constantly tighten their solidarity, friendship and cooperation.

They affirmed the principle of not allowing hostile forces to use the territory of one country to harm the security of the other country and agreed to coordinate in strengthening defense and border security as well as preventing transnational crimes and plots against the three countries' relations. The Prime Ministers vowed to closely coordinate in regional and international issues, contributing to maintaining and consolidating solidarity, unity and centrality of ASEAN.