Laos Environment News

The former Chief Executive Officer of the Nam Theun 2 Power Company (NTPC), Jean-Pierre Katz, has been awarded the Friendship Medal by the Lao Government.

NT2 CEO Jean-Pierre Katz calls his Légion d’Honneur "an honour for the entire Nam Theun 2 project"

The government of the Lao PDR and independent monitors have signalled that the Nam Theun 2 Multi-Purpose Project has so far met all contractual obligations concerning both environmental and social commitments, plus design and performance standards.

The Nam Theun 2 Multi-Purpose Project, has been officially inaugurated in Khammouane province, Laos, at a ceremony attended by the Lao President, Thai Prime Minister, and representatives of France and international institutions and companes.

"We have suffered water shortage in the last four to five years because more people keep moving to this area," says Kingkham, who lives in Saysettha district of the Lao capital, Vientiane.

EDF and EGCO buy up Nam Theun 2 shares from Ital-Thai

Authorities in Khammouane Province, Laos, have pledged to increase protection of fish stocks in the Nakai Reservoir in order to boost long-term livelihoods and conservation in the area.

The Lao government takes over the activities of the Nakai Elephant Programme, supported by the Nam Theun 2 Power Company.

The Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectric Project has started full generation service, supplying 1,000 MW of electricity to Thailand at commercial tariff.

The Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Project in Laos, close to completion, has put back commercial operations to early 2010. Project revenues and royalties to the Lao government have started to accrue. Environmental and social programs are progressing well.

Children and schools on Laos's Nakai Plateau receive prizes from the Nam Theun 2 Power Company for artwork celebrating World Environment Day. NTPC is committed to preserving the unique biodiversity of the area and to educating children on Nakai.

Fish stocks in the Nakai Reservoir in Khammouane province, Laos, received a boost on July 22 2009, when district authorities and the Nam Theun 2 Power Company (NTPC) released more than 30,000 native fingerlings.

Around 400 stakeholders of the Nam Theun 2 Hydroelectricity Project met in Khammouane for the project's third stakeholder forum, discussing progress on environmental, social and construction aspects of this integrated development programme.

This article on the new MRC Hydropower Programme, by MRC Secretariat CEO Jeremy Bird, was first published by the Nation in Thailand (22/9/08) and Viet Nam News (24/9/08).

A Regional Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on the MRC Hydropower Programme is discussing how the planning process for hydropower development in the Mekong region can include expertise and views from a wide range of interested parties.

China and the countries of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) have arranged to build on their existing relations by renewing an agreement to share data on flood season water flows in the Lancang-Mekong River. Lao version available on MRC website.

Recent flooding, regional hydropower stakeholder consultation, and accelerating infrastructure development among subjects discussed at the 27th MRC Joint Committee meeting.

Although water levels along the Mekong River have continued to decline, many parts of the Lower Mekong Basin remain at risk of future flooding. The MRC continues to work with partner agencies to forecast and analyse flood events.

Even as the long-running Water Utilisation Programme of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) closed, the member countries and MRC Secretariat pledged to build further on its results in establishing integrated water resource management.

6th MRC Annual Mekong Flood Forum: Flood warnings along the Mekong River and tributaries should come earlier in future thanks to investments being made in the regional forecasting system through the MRC Flood Management and Mitigation Programme.

New MRC Secretariat CEO Jeremy Bird outlines “four R’s” as the themes for his vision of Mekong Cooperation: the Regional dimension of the MRC, its Relevance , its Responsibilities, and reducing the Risk associated with future developments .

The new Mekong River Commission Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre has officially opened in Phnom Penh, marking a vital step forward in avoiding loss of lives and the damage that flooding can bring.

The opportunities and risks that come with economic growth were the main topics of discussion at the 27th Joint Committee Meeting of the Mekong River Commission in Danang, Viet Nam, April 2-3.

The Mekong River Commission and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation will work together to assess the potential impacts of climate change on the environment in the countries of the Lower Mekong Basin.

Stakeholder Forum on the Mekong River Commission's Basin Development Plan held in Vientiane, 12-13 March, to discuss planning processes for the development of the Lower Mekong Basin.

Mekong River Commission signs US$650,000 funding agreement with Australian Government

Mekong River Commission appoints Jeremy Bird as Chief Executive Officer of its Secretariat.

The Mekong River Commission held its12th Dialogue Meeting in Siem Reap today. Representatives from China and Myanmar as well as representatives from the MRC Joint Committee and from MRC partner organisations attended the meeting.

The Swedish government has signed an agreement to support the work of the Mekong River Commission in areas of environment, fisheries and planning.