The Vietnam National Mekong Committee (VNMC)

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc

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The Vietnam National Mekong Committee (VNMC)

After reunification, the Mekong cooperation is considered interests and priorities of the sustainable and efficient use of water resources in our country. On 18 September 1978, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 237-CP establishment of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee to assist the Government in coordinating the activities of Viet Nam in Mekong cooperation. In the period 1978 to 1995, through the Mekong cooperation and activities of the Vietnam National Mekong Committee has many research projects, pilot studies, constructions were carried out to contribute to socio-economic development the Mekong Delta and the Central Highlands, as follows:

Irrigation projects: Tan Go Cong Irrigation Project, Huong My Irrigation Project, Research and Development on Irrigation in Vam Nao, Flood control and irrigation projects, Yasoup feasibility study project…;
Agriculture and forestry projects: an action plan Srepok Basin, research investigating wetlands, forest research and development of Long Xuyen quadrangle, shrimp stations in Vung Tau;
Environment projects: set up the water quality monitoring network;
Training worskhop programs, capacity buildings contributed to building a team of staff to undertake the management of natural resources in general and the Mekong cooperation in particular in the future.

April 5, 1995, four member countries are Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam signed the Agreement on the Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin and established the Mekong River Commission to strengthen international cooperation between riparian countries. To strengthen the role of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee in the implementation of the 1995 Mekong Agreement, on December 30, 1995, Prime Minister signed Decision 860/TTg on functions, duties, powers and organizational structure of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee.

In the period from 1995 to 2010, the activities of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee has contributed significantly to the overall operation of the national and Mekong River Commission (MRC), actively coordinate with other agencies in the country strengthen the management of water resources, water quantity and quality monitoring transboundary water; promote the integration of the activities of the Mekong in bilateral and multilateral cooperation…; contribute positively to the MRC Strategic Plan for the implementation of the 1995 Mekong Agreement; negotiation and signing of the Rules for Water Utilization; actively promote the activities of the Commission; and implementation of programs and key projects of the Commission.

Starting from the situation and new tasks, the Prime Minister issued Decision 114/QD-TTg regulations on functions, duties, powers and organizational structure of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee.

According Decision 114/QD-TTg, Viet Nam National Mekong Committee is an inter-sectoral organization responsible to assist the Prime Minister of the Government in directing, managing all cooperation activities with the MRC to develop, utilize, protect water and other related resources of the whole Mekong Basin in general and of the Mekong delta and the Central Highlands in the Mekong basin in particular. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment as Chairman of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee, MRC Council Member for the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Planning and Investment and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as Deputy Chairmen of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee. There are 21 members of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee are authorized representatives of Line Ministries, and of the People’s Committees/City in the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands, and the Director General of VNMC.

To enhance the work efficiency of the Committee, by the end of 2011, the Minister, Chairman of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee has issued Rules of Procedures for Viet Nam National Mekong Committee.

Due to changes in the organizational structure, the role of Chairman of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee operates independently in each period. From 1997 to 2008, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development appointed as the Chairman of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee, and from 2008 until today, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment appointed as the Chairman of Viet Nam Mekong Committee under the provisions of Decree No. 25/2008/ND-CP dated 04 March 2008 regulations on functions, duties, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

In recent years, the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee has completed its tasks to strengthen the Mekong cooperation, in particular has contributed greatly to the achievement of the Commission, to lead and participate positive and effective implementation of the work programme of the Commission, to build solidarity in the Commission and has played a positive role as agents promoting development Commission; maintain positive relationships bilateral and multilateral riparian countries; continue to expand partnerships with donors, initiatives/regional and international organizations, to strengthen the participation of non-governmental organizations… The Committee has been strengthened the organization and relationship with the line ministries and local authorities to be strengthened through joint activities and information dissemination activities of the Committee.

Viet Nam National Mekong Committee Standing Office is assisting the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee, locatedin the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Viet Nam National Mekong Committee Standing Office has legal status, seal and accounts in accordance with the law; own staffing and funding of the state budget; work under such regulations Department under the Ministry; perform other tasks as assigned by the Minister of Natural resources and Environment, Chairman of the Viet Nam National Mekong Committee in the field of water resources and related fields.