Sustainable Hydropower Development in the Mekong

On 27 September 2011, M-POWER, Challenge Program on Water and Food, and WWF China co-organised a Roundtable on Sustainable Hydropower Development in the Mekong in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The Roundtable attempted to identify ways of improving hydropower development by bringing together upstream and downstream stakeholders. The Roundtable aimed to be a small step towards better collaboration within the region.

The Roundtable’s main objectives were:

• To promote effective communication between Mekong countries;
• Better understand best practices for environmental and social considerations in hydropower development; and
• Strengthen opportunities for sharing of experiences and collaboration on sustainable hydropower projects.

The 65 participants included representatives of Mekong region governments, NGOs, academics, development partners and hydropower developers, contractors and consultants. The Roundtable was opened by the Mr. Viraponh Viravong, Director General of the Department of Electricity, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Lao PDR and Mr. Huang Guangming, Vice President of Hydro Lancang (Huaneng Lancang Jiang Hydropower Co. Ltd), China. Catalytic presentations followed by the Mekong River Commission, M-POWER, Ecosystem Study Commission for International Rivers (China), Hohai University’s National Resettlement Research Centre (China), WWF, Theun Hinboun Power Company (Lao PDR), and the Hydro Lancang (China).