Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - US splashes $770K for Mekong management, data sharing

US splashes $770K for Mekong management, data sharing

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Fishing boats on the Mekong river near Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Heng Chivoan

US splashes $770K for Mekong management, data sharing

The US Department of State has awarded the Mekong River Commission (MRC) a grant of $773,570 to enhance data collection and sharing for collaborative water management in the Mekong River Basin and continued exchanges with the Mississippi River Commission.

The Mississippi River Commission is a US government agency tasked with researching and recommending policy and work programmes covering areas such as flood management, navigation and environmental protection.

The grant was confirmed on December 3 at a virtual meeting between the two river commissions, the MRC said in a statement on December 9.

“The support, provided under the framework of the Mekong-US Partnership, will run for a period of three years from 2021 to 2024. The grant directly backs key activities of the Basin Development Strategy 2021-2030 and the MRC Strategic plan 2021-2025,” it said.

The MRC said the funding “will support disaggregated data collection and mapping on gender and vulnerability, including riverine communities to improve basin planning and operations, as well as early warning systems”.

It added that with “modern technology, including remote sensing products and datasets for basin planning and operations”, this assistance will be instrumental in facilitating “information sharing and communication between countries as they relate to water-related emergencies, including water quality, navigation and dam safety”.

Christine Dawson, director of the state department’s Office of Conservation and Water said in the statement that the US “is pleased to support the MRC in promoting and improving transparent water data sharing”.

“Although small, this grant will provide strategic support to the important work of the MRC in the Mekong and wider region,” she said.

Mississippi River Commission president Major General Diana Holland acknowledges the MRC as a “technically advanced world-class” international river basin organisation that serves the Mekong nations, according to the statement.

Given the MRC’s “history and standing in the international community, the Mississippi River Commission sees you as an equal partner in the Sister River Partnership”, she was quoted as saying.

“The Mississippi River Commission believes that we have much to offer, and we are anxious to learn from you.”

MRC Secretariat CEO An Pich Hatda said in the statement: “We have a common mission and shared commitment to promote sustainable development and management of the Mekong River that is confronted with increasing risks from climate change, extreme floods, droughts and development activities.”

The MRC said it earlier this year joined the US-led “Friends of the Mekong” group, which counts the Metro Manila-based Asian Development Bank, Australia, Cambodia, the EU, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, the US, Vietnam and the Washington-headquartered World Bank among its ranks.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the