The report was based on outcomes of a virtual Indo-Pacificconference on enhancing management of transboundary rivers hosted by theEast-West Centre last October.
Speakers at the event said that the Mekongsubregion is facing challenges in security, development and climate change.
Keshap expressed the US’s concerns over impacts ofhydropower dams in the Mekong River’s upper reaches on food security, economicdevelopment and environmental conditions of countries in lower reaches.
The US highly appreciates Vietnam’s efforts inpushing ASEAN’s cooperation to help the Mekong subregion cope with suchchallenges, he said.
Congressman Ted Lieu also affirmed that the USCongress wants the US government to further boost cooperation with the Mekong sub-regionvia the US-Mekong partnership. Since thelaunch of the Lower Mekong Initiative in 2009, the US has earmarked 3.5 billionUSD for countries in Mekong River’s lower reaches.
At the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US HaKim Ngoc underscored the significance of water security, especiallytransboundary water resources, to peace and prosperity in the region.
Countries in the Mekong subregion shareresponsibilities for the use and management of Mekong River’s water resourcesin a sustainable manner in a bid to offset impacts on development and theenvironment, he added.
The diplomat affirmed that Vietnam is always aresponsible member in joint efforts to cope with challenges in environmentalissues, climate change, economic development and security in the Mekongsubregion.
He proposed that countries work together to build regulationsand legally binding frameworks to manage transboundary rivers.
He also called on the US and other partners toinvest in the region in the spheres of energy, infrastructure, climate changeadaptation and sustainable development./.