Mekong River Commission

Donor Cooperation in 2005

Biennial summary value of donor agreements concluded (2000-2005)Total US$ 98.6 million

In 2005 donor cooperation increased, boding well for a positive medium-term funding outlook. Many current donors and some new ones showed strong support for the MRC’s work. The MRC was encouraged to receive such generous support from donors, a fact it sees as an indication of the appreciation of the international donor community has for its work.

New funding agreements amounting to US$9,393,786 were concluded with Australia, ADB, Belgium, IWMI/CGIAR, Denmark, EC/ECHO, Finland, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, the USA and UNDP.

Continued support was also extended to MRC through the provision of technical assistance. The Government of Japan provided two experts assigned to the Secretariat working within the Basin Development Plan and the Agriculture, Irrigation and Forestry Programme. The Government of France seconded one Senior Technical Advisor and one Junior Professional Officer to work within the Programme Coordination Section of the Secretariat.

Donors formally indicated multi-year pledging and commitment of support totalling US$33.99 million (as at year end 2005). Pledges of support were made to the Information and Knowledge Management Programme, the Agriculture, Irrigation and Forestry Programme, the Environment Programme, the Navigation Programme and the Basin Development Plan.

The MRC is pleased that there is an overall trend toward increasing donor support – in the past two years agreements amounting to US$35 million have been signed. At the start of 2006 the organisation has funds amounting to US$39.4 million to support its work, in addition to the funds pledged.

In 2005 the World Bank enhanced its engagement with the MRC and became an observer to MRC governance meetings. The MRC has also concluded a Framework Partnership Agreement with the European Commission to become a partner of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO).