Xayaburi hydroelectric dam construction postponed

According to the Mekong River Commission (MRC), MRC member countries attending a meeting on the fate of the Xayaburi hydropower dam (Laos) on December 8 in Siem Reap (Cambodia) decided to postpone construction to conduct further studies on its impact on the ecosystem.

This is an important decision for people and ecosystems in the Mekong River basin.

Protest against the construction of the Xayaburi dam in Bangkok, Thailand with the slogan: Protecting the Mekong River means protecting 60 million lives - Photo: Bangkok Post

The meeting concluded that further research is needed on the sustainable development and management of the Mekong River, including the impacts of mainstream hydropower development projects. MRC member representatives, including the environment and water resources ministers of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, agreed in principle to approach the Government of Japan and other international development partners to conduct the research. However, the length of the dam construction delay was not announced.

“When the four member countries of the Mekong Commission agree to further studies, it means that construction will not proceed until there are clear results,” International Rivers quoted Mr. Te Navuth, secretary general of the Mekong Commission of Cambodia, as saying.

“The Mekong governments have made the right decision, but this is just the starting point. They need to take further steps to make their commitment a reality. We hope that the Lao government will maintain its credibility and immediately stop all construction activities at the dam site and remove all construction equipment,” said a representative of the Vietnam Rivers Network.

According to Tuoi Tre