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MRCS Statement
Mr. Chairman
Ladies and Gentlemen
MRCS is pleased to be invited for this fourth meeting of the subregional working group on the environment. In the last meeting held in Siem Riep in March 1997, many participants expressed keen interest in improved coordination of ongoing and planned activities in the subregion.
From MRCS side some subregional projects being planned by ADB were addressed, and in particular as related to parallel MRCS activities – ongoing and planned. One year later these activities and MRCS activities within similar areas may be briefly assessed as follows:
Subregional Environmental Training and Institutional Training (SETIS). The MRCS has established comprehensive Environmental training programmes, as well as a specific training project for introducing ISO 14000 in the MRCS riparian countries. I have recently provided concrete input of training sessions under the SETIS project, and this could be taken as an example of how two organizations can assist each other and coordinate activities. Environmental training is an area needing massive input, and the risk duplication will be minimal if properly coorinated. MRCS will appreciate coordination with the SETIS programme.
Subregional Environmental Monitoring and Information System (SEMIS). ADB in 1996 supported MRCS for implementation of the linkage of the Mekong GIS and Water Resources Databases, and production of thematic layers. Under this project, the linkage of the Mekong GIS with the hydrological and water quality statistical databases has been finalized. The MRCS riparian counterpart agencies have participated actively in the development of thematic data layers for characterization of the LMB. The activities of MRCS will be completed by the end of March 1998. The updated information on data sets gathered from the riparian counterpart agencies are now being documented. This will be included in the SEMIS catalogue of data holdings amongst countries of the GMS.
Poverty Reduction and Environmental Management in Remote GMS Watersheds is also an important project. The MRCS is currently executing several projects which address issues closely related to those covered by this project. We have already last April in writing informed ADB about our activities and the risk of duplication, and expressed our interest in collaboration, and possible participation in the project. However, we understand that his project is now under way with the recruitment of consulting company for execution of the project.
Strategic Environmental Framework. MRCS is committed to sustainable development of water and related resources in the Lower Mekong Basin. Therefore a strategic environmental framework is a priority for MRCS, and our Environment Programme includes components which clearly address this issue. Close coordination should be ensured, and we would be interested in playing an active role in the proposed project. Not only a coordinating role, but also with actual involvement of our environmental specialists in the project. We hope that available resources may accommodate financial support for active MRCS contribution to coordination of the project.
Management and Protection of Critical Wetlands in the Lower Mekong Basin. In September 1997 MRCS started the project Inventory and Management of Cambodian Wetlands Phase I, which after 18 months will be followed by a second Phase. This project will address sustained use of Cambodia wetlands through enhanced capacity in wetland management based on community participation and establishment of a comprehensive data inventory of wetlands and the Tonle Sap Lake. This include a detailed assessment of hydrological conditions (including modeling) and following assessment of them inter-relationships between ecology and hydrology, and the management of wetlands around the lake as well. Further, sedimentation of the lake will be studied in collaboration with another MRCS project on Soil Erosion and Sedimentation in the Lower Mekong river Basin. The proposed ADB project is very much addressing the same very important issues crucial for the fate of Tonle Sap Lake. For avoiding overlap and duplication MRCS is willing to adapt and coordinate its activities with the ADB, and through good cooperation establish the basis for proper planning for this region.
In summary MRCS would like to stress its keen interest in coordination and collaboration with the ADB when addressing issues of common interest in the region. O also strongly believe that it is in the interest of ADB and all concerned to avoid duplication. One way of achieving this through establishing different mechanisms which will ensure good coordination and collaboration in practical terms that can avoid unnecessary wastage of resources.
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