A coalition of NGOs has called on Cambodia’s National Mekong Committee (CNMC) to push for the Xayaburi dam to be added to the agenda of a regional Mekong River meeting next week.

Chhith Sam Ath, executive director of NGO Forum on Cambodia, said it was disappointing that the Mekong River Commission member states did not plan to discuss the contentious Xayaburi dam, which Laos began building in November, at its annual council meeting in Laos.

“We urge the [CNMC] to request to add a discussion of Xayaburi’s construction to the agenda,” he said. Te Navuth, CNMC secretary-general, could not be reached.

Meanwhile, MRC donor New Zealand said yesterday that it would not fund the commission beyond this year, but still supported it in its current form.

To contact the reporter on this story: Shane Worrell at [email protected]