Mekong River Commission Secretariat

Basin Development Plan 2nd Regional Stakeholder Forum

"Unfolding Perspectives and Options for Sustainable Water Resources
Development in the Mekong River Basin"
15-16 October, 2009, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Agenda and Presentations

Click the links in Programme column to view presentations. All presentations are in pdf and will open in new window.

Introduction of presentations (pdf)

Day 1: 15 October, 2009

Time	Programme	Presenter
08:00-08:30	Registration	Administration
Opening Session: Welcome, Objectives of the 2^nd Regional Stakeholder Forum
08:30-08:50	Welcome Remarks (0.0.2)	Dr. Saksith Trideth, Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, MRC Joint Committee Member for Thailand and Mr. Jeremy Bird, CEO MRCS
08:50-09:00	Basin Development Planning From the 1^st Stakeholder Consultation to the 2^nd Stakeholder Forum (0.0.3)	Mrs. Pham Thanh Hang, MRC BDP Coordinator
09:00-09:05	Forum structure	Dr. Vitoon Viriyasakutorn, Forum Facilitator
09:05-09:35	Zero Hour “Voices to be Heard" Without trying to constraint the discussions, the Forum provides 30 minutes time at the beginning of the Forum to let stakeholders freely vent their ideas, concerns, expectations and even frustrations on what needs to be addressed in the Forum and should be taken into account by the Countries’ decisions and the MRC in the basin development planning process.
Session 1: The Mekong River Basin: Emergence of Knowledge on Development Challenges and Opportunities Objective: This session serves to share the emerging knowledge generated by different stakeholders and the MRC regarding critical water-related themes in the MRB. This promotes a better understanding of the water related issues and well-informed discussions of the development challenges and opportunities in the LMB. Facilitator: Mr. John Dore Water Advisor AusAID Mekong Region Water and Infrastructure Unit Australian Embassy
09:35-09:40	Remarks by facilitator	Facilitator
09:40-09:50	Mekong water resources development: emerging trends and plans (1.0.1)	Mr. Ton Lennearts, Chief Technical Advisor, MRC BDP

Theme 1: Mekong hydropower development in the context of regional electricity demand and fisheries productivity Facilitator: Mr. John Dore
09:50-10:05	Hydropower development for poverty reduction in Laos - opportunities and challenges (1.1.1)	Mr. Chansaveng Boungong Director of Power Development Division, Department of Electricity, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Lao PDR
10:05-10:20	Importance of integrated electricity planning for the Mekong region (1.1.2)	Dr. Tira Foran, Researcher, M-POWER
10:20-10:35	Mekong fisheries and basin development planning (1.1.3)	Mr. Xaypladeth Choulamany MRC Fisheries Programme Coordinator
10:35-10:50	Coffee break Special session at the exhibition hall Short film display: "Laos Dams – Powering the Future" by 101 East Ajazera	Administration
10:50-11:20	Plenary discussion on Theme 1: • Questions and Answers • Perspectives from stakeholders • How can the BDP process take the multiple issues into account?	Facilitator
Theme 2: Irrigated agriculture development in LMB - opportunities and risks in the context of changing land use and new investments Facilitator: Mr. Suon Seng Center for Development Oriented Research, Cambodia
11:20-11:35	Global food crisis, future prospects of food supply and demand and the role of irrigated agriculture in LMB (1.2.1)	Dr. Andrew Noble, Regional Director IWMI Southeast and Central Asia, Lao PDR
11:35-11:50	Changing land use in Cambodia, implications for poverty reduction and challenges with the current agricultural land concession – the case study of 3S (1.2.2)	Mr. Sok Saing Im, Water Resources Planning Specialist, Department of Water Resources, MONRE, Cambodia
11:50-12:10	Thailand water transfer and diversion scheme for irrigation development and poverty reduction - opportunities and risks and lessons learned (1.2.3)	Royal Irrigation Department, Thailand
11:50-12:10	Followed by another perspective on irrigation in the North East in regional development context (1.2.4)	Dr. Buapan Prompakping Faculty of Humanity Khon Kaen University, Thailand
12:10-12:40	Plenary discussion on Theme 2: • Questions and Answers • Perspectives from stakeholders • How can BDP process take into account the issues?	Facilitator
12:40-14:00	Lunch	Administration
Theme 3: Understanding climate variability and climate change in the planning process Facilitator: Dr. Geoffrey Blate Climate Change Coordinator WWF Greater Mekong Thailand Country Programme
14:00-14:05	Remarks from the facilitator	Facilitator
14:05-14:20	Climate variability and change and impacts on the Mekong Basin (1.3.1)	Dr. Jorma Koponen, Senior Specialist, Helsinki University of Technology
14:20-14:35	Living with uncertainties: Tonle Sap and social vulnerability to potential changes in the Mekong's flow regime (1.3.2)	Dr. Hossein Jalilian, Cambodia Development Research Institute (CDRI)
14:35-14:50	Climate change: understanding of likely impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation options in the Vietnam Mekong Delta (1.3.3)	Dr. Nguyen Van Sanh, Can Tho University, Viet Nam
14:50-15:20	Plenary discussion on Theme 3: • What are the key issues related to climate change in the LMB? • How should climate change be integrated into the Basin panning process?	Facilitator
Session 2 Cumulative Impact Assessment of Transboundary Economic, Environment and Social Implications of Water Resources Development Objective: To present and seek suggestions from stakeholders on the planned approach to carry out the cumulative assessment of the economic, environment and social impacts of different levels of water resources development in the MRB, and how the assessment results and stakeholder opinions can be used to influence decision-making on water resources development in the Mekong Basin. This session will also introduce the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of mainstream hydropower dams that supports the BDP scenario assessment. Facilitator: Dr. Robert Mather Head of Country Group 1, IUCN-The World Conservation Union Asia Regional Office, Bangkok, Thailand
15:20-15:35	Basin-wide development scenarios: objectives, definition, approach to assessment and the use of results for basin-wide discussions and decision making (2.0.1)	Dr. Phoumin Han, Economist, MRC BDP Programme
15:35-15:50	SEA of mainstream hydropower dams – objectives and scope as derived from stakeholder consultations (2.0.2)	Mr. Voradeth Phonekeo, Coordinator MRC Sustainable Hydropower Initiative
15:50-16:15	Questions and Answers Introduction to the parallel sessions	Facilitator
16:15-16:30	Coffee break Special session t the exhibition hall Short film display "The Mekong: The River of Southeast Asia" by Living River Siam (SEARIN)	Administration
Parallel Session 2.1: Improving modelling for a sound understanding of future water availability and hydrological changes Objective: To present and discuss the approach and tools for the modeling and the assessment of the hydrological changes of the basin-wide development scenarios, some interim results, and areas for improvement of the BDP assessment. Facilitator: Dr. Chaiyuth Suksri, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
16:30-16:45	Hydrological assessment of basin-wide development scenarios – tools, results and next steps (2.1.1)	Dr. Thanapon Piman, Modeller, MRC BDP Programme
16:45-17:00	Uncertainties to be addressed in the hydrological assessment of development scenarios (2.1.2)	Dr. Jeffrey Richey, Washington University, Washington USA.
17:00-18:00	Plenary discussion: • Use of models, tools and the results • Other hydrological issues to be considered	Facilitator
Parallel Session 2.2: Assessment of economic implications Objective: to present and discuss the approach and tools for assessing the economic impacts of the basin-wide development scenarios, some interim results, and areas for improvement of the BDP assessment. Facilitator: Dr. Larry Hass, Chief Technical Advisor, Initiative for Sustainable Hydropower, MRC
16:30-16:45	Economic impact assessment of basin wide development scenarios (2.2.1)	Dr. Phoumin Han, Economist, MRC BDP Programme
16:45-17:00	Fishery valuation and assessment methodology (2.2.2)	Dr. Ashley Hall, Senior Fishery Expert
17:00-17.15	Other approaches to economic assessment by the local in upstream of Mekong in Cambodia: a case study of Sambor hydropower dam site and its riches biodiversity area (2.2.3)	Mr. Keo Tai, Programme coordinator, Community Development (CED), Cambodia
17:15-18:00	Plenary discussion: • Economic impact assessment approach • Issues to be considered and use of results	Facilitator
Parallel Session 2.3: Assessment of environment implications Objective: to present and discuss the approach, tools, and available data and information at the MRC to assess the impacts of water resources development on the Mekong’s wetlands and aquatic resources. Facilitator: Dr. Robert Mather Head of Country Group 1, IUCN-The World Conservation Union Asia Regional Office, Bangkok, Thailand
16:30-16:45	Environmental impact assessment of basin wide development scenarios (2.3.1)	Mr. Phetsamone Southalack, Environment Specialist, MRC BDP Programme
16:45-17:00	Strategic approaches to assessment of development impacts on the people and environment (2.3.2)	Dr. John Soussan, Stockholm Environment Institute
17:00-17:15	The impacts of upstream development to wetland and biodiversity resource in Tonle Sap (2.3.3)	Ms. Thorn Riguen, Mekong Project Officer, Fisheries Actions Coalition Team (FACT)
17:15-18:00	Plenary discussion: • Environmental impact assessment approach • Issues to be considered and use of results	Facilitator
Parallel Session 2.4: Assessment of social implications Objective: to present and discuss approach, tools, and available data and information at the MRC to assess the social impacts of water resources development on different population groups in the LMB. Facilitator: Mr. Suan Seng, Center for Development Oriented Research, Cambodia
16:30-16:45	Social impact assessment of basin wide development scenarios (2.4.1)	Mr. Suparerk Janprasart, Sociologist/Socio-economist, MRC BDP Programme
16:45-17:00	Social implications of water resources development (2.4.2)	Mr. Mark Dubois, Research Fellow, WorldFish Center
17:15-18:00	Large scale hydropower projects and their impacts on local communities in the Mekong River Basin (2.4.3)	Ms. Ikuku Matsumoto Country Director, Laos International Rivers South East Asia
17:00-18:00	Plenary discussion: • Social impact assessment approach • Issues to be considered and use of results	Facilitator
Reception Dinner
19:00-19:30	A 30 minutes speech "What is IWRM?" From Rio to MRC Basin Development Planning - repeating the same mistake or the way for a sustainable transboundary basin management	Dr. Apichart Anukulampai, the pioneer supporter of IWRM in Thailand
20:00-20:30	Reception dinner and cultural show	Administration

Day 2: 16 October, 2009

Time	Programme	Presenter
08:30-08:45	Key messages from Day 1 (3.0.0)	Mrs. Pham Thanh Hang, MRC BDP Coordinator
08:45-08:50	Structure of Day 2 and remarks from the facilitator	Facilitator
Session 3 Understanding the Distribution of benefits and costs, the potential winners and losers Objective: To facilitate dialogues in which stakeholders will openly share their views regarding the directions for the development of the Mekong water and related resources, and the associated opportunities and challenges. The MRC will share the process and initial approach towards an IWRM-based Basin Development Strategy, undertaken by the four LMB countries to provide their joint statement on how they will work together for well-coordinated, sustainable and equitable development of the Mekong’s water and related resources. Facilitator: Dr. Andrew Nobel, Regional Director, IWMI Southeast and Central Asia, Lao PDR
08:50-09:05	Contribution of the Lancang hydropower cascade to economic development and the downstream water regime - the perspective of the Chinese Government (3.1.1)	Mr. Zhou Shichun, Senior Engineer, General Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Planning and Design, China
09:05-09:20	Capture fisheries, dams, mitigations measures and alternative sources of fish production (3.1.1A)	Dr. Alan Brooks, World Fish Centre
09:20-09:40	From assessments to strategy for sustainable basin development and to implementation. Path being followed by MRC BDP (3.1.2)	Mr. Nguyen Hong Toan on behalf of the Advisory Group for the preparation of the Basin Development Strategy
09:40-09:55	Articulating the promises and impossibilities – Vision of the MRC Basin Development Planning and its draft IWRM Strategy (3.1.3)	Professor Dr. Surichai Wunkeaw, Director, Department of Sociology & Anthropology, Chulalongkorn University, TBC
09:55-10:45	Round table dialogue: outcomes will be brought forward for the Panel discussion Perspectives from stakeholders on options for sustainable basin development and expectations from the IWRM-based Basin Development Strategy Understanding the distribution of benefits and costs, the potential winners and losers Issues for consideration in the process to prepare, adopt and implement the Basin Development Strategy by the MRC Member Countries and stakeholders (3.1.4)	Facilitator in each of the tables
10:45–11:00	Coffee break Special session at the exhibition hall A launch of short film "Mekong Tipping points" Stimson Center, Washington DC, USA	Administration
11:00	Introduction of the panel discussion and panel members	Facilitator
11:05-12:30	Panel Discussion Panel member speech (5 minutes each) – different perspectives on options for sustainable basin development and demand/expectations from the IWRM-based Basin Development Strategy and how it can be realized Questions to and answers by the Panelists on The key issues brought up from each Roundtable dialogue The issues brought up by all participants at the beginning of the Forum Plenary discussion	Panel members: Representative from Socio-economic and Planning Division from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, civil society organization and development partner
12:30-14:00	Lunch	Administration
Session 4 Strengthen Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement Objective: To provide an update on key assessment and planning processes of interest to stakeholders in the region. These processes could include (i) the BDP process and progress in the implementation of the Stakeholder Participation and Communication Plan (SPCP); (ii) other regional processes toward shared visions on MRB development and management; and (iii) the upcoming process for the preparation of the MRC Strategic Plan 2011-2015. Facilitator: Dr. Richard Friend Anthropologist/Social Scientist
14:00-14:15	BDP Stakeholder Participation and Communication Plan - the ambitions and lessons learned with the implementation to date (4.1.1)	Mr. Suparerk Janprasart, Sociologist/Socio-economist, MRC BDP Programme
14:15-14:30	BDP process at the sub-basin level, the role of RBOs, and the coherence between sub-basin, national and basin planning (4.1.2)	Mr. Thanoosak Thanasarn, a member of RBC of Kok and Northern Kong basins
14:30-14:45	Preparation of the MRC Strategic Plan 2011-2015 –Process and expected involvement of stakeholders (4.1.3)	Mr. Khy Lim, Communication Officer, MRC International Coordination and Communication Section
14:45-15:00	Multi-stakeholder platform - would it be able to inform and influence decision making? (4.1.4)	Mr. John Dore, Water Advisor, AusAID Mekong Region Water and Infrastructure Unit
15:00-15:30	Plenary discussion Stakeholder feedbacks to strengthen the key MRC processes: the preparation of MRC 2011-2015 Strategic Plan and BDP process	Facilitator
15:30-15:45	Coffee break Special session at the exhibition hall New book launch "Power and Responsibility: The Mekong River Commission and Lower Mekong Mainstream dams" by Oxfam Australia and Australian Mekong Center Sydney University	Administration
Session 5 Ways Forward Objective: To take stock of key views and recommendations brought forward during this 2nd Regional Stakeholder Forum, and for the MRC/BDP2 to share how these recommendations can be incorporated in the BDP and other MRC processes. Facilitator: Dr. Chayanis Krittasudthacheewa, Deputy Director, Stockholm Environment Institute, Asia
15:45-16:30	Feedback from the MRC/BDP on the recommendations received and the way forward (5.1.1.)	BDP Programme
16:30-17:00	Remarks by CSOs and other stakeholders on opportunities for synergies and partnership	Representatives from CSOs, NGOs, academia, media, etc.
17:00:17:15	Remarks by MRCS (5.1.3)	Mr. Jeremy Bird, CEO MRCS
17:15-17:30	Closing remarks	MRC Joint Committee from Lao PDR. Cambodia, Viet Nam and Thailand

Day 3: 17 October, 2009

Field Visit

Time	Ativities
08:00	Depart Rimkok Hotel to Golden Triangle – the famous border line where the demarcations of the three countries Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet on the Mekong River.
09:10	Arrive the Golden Triangle Travel to Wat Phrathat Pu Khao, a historical temple located on the top of the hill Hiking to the top of the hill, Wat Pharathat Pu Khao Enjoy the bird eye view of the Ruak river where it water meets the Mekong Walk down the hill and pay respect to Bhuddha of Chiang Saen, a landmark of the Golden Triangle
10:30	Travel to Don Sao Island by boat, at the Laos side from the Golden Triangle port. Visiting local villagers and souvenir market at Don Sao.
11:40	Travel back to the Golden Triangle port
11:40	Lunch at Imperial Golden: enjoy the panoramic view of the Golden Triangle with a range of Thai buffet
13:00	Travel to Chiang Saen Port #1
13:20	Discuss with the Chiang Saen Port Officer on navigation issues, trade commercial and tourism potential
14:30	Travel to Nong Bong Kai (Chiang Sean Lake), International RAMSAR Site and non-hunting area. A well-known site for bird watching
16:00	Depart from Chiang Senn Lake
17:00	Arrive Rim Kok Hotel

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October 22, 2009

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