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Mekong Plus+

The Mekong River is the largest river in Southeast Asia, originating in the Tibetan Plateau of China and flowing through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam to the South China Sea. At 4,020 kilometers long, it ranks 12th in the world and has a watershed area of 800,000 square kilometers. The Mekong River is characterized by a large difference in water volume between the dry and wet seasons, with the lowest water level during the dry season (March to May) and an increase in water volume during the wet season (June to December).

The Mekong region, through which the Mekong River flows, has been attracting attention for its geopolitical importance as it connects India and China, as well as its high growth potential, with an average annual economic growth rate of over 7%, abundant natural resources, and a young labor force. In addition, trade with Korea is extensive and rising, making it important to build diplomatic relations with countries in the Mekong region.

The Mekong River Basin is a region that is prone to water-related disasters such as droughts and floods due to climate change and urbanization. Not only do countries have different issues surrounding the Mekong River, but there are also conflicts between upstream and downstream countries due to the construction of dams and exploitation of water resources by upstream countries. To address these issues, countries in the Mekong region work closely together under multilateral systems of cooperation, forming various consultative bodies.

미얀마 태국 라오스 베트남 캄보디아
  • Myanmar
  • Republic of the Union of Myanmar 수도 : 네피도
    (인구 약 5,522만 7,152명)

Economic size (GDP) $ billion
GDP growth rate (YoY) %
Mekong River basin ratio %
Main use
Country-specific water resource issues
Related projects
출처 : [ADB] 2024 basic statistic, 2024.04. / [외교부] 2021 메콩 개황 (6p), 2021.10.
  • Laos
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
    Capital : Vientiane
    (population About 7,379,358 People.)

Economic size (GDP) $ billion
GDP growth rate (YoY) %
Mekong River basin ratio %
Main use
Country-specific water resource issues
Related projects
출처 : [ADB] 2024 basic statistic, 2024.04. / [외교부] 2021 메콩 개황 (6p), 2021.10.
  • Cambodia
  • Kingdom of Cambodia
    Capital : Phnom Penh
    (population About 16,946,446 People.)

Economic size (GDP) $ billion
GDP growth rate (YoY) %
Mekong River basin ratio %
Main use
Country-specific water resource issues
Related projects
출처 : [ADB] 2024 basic statistic, 2024.04. / [외교부] 2021 메콩 개황 (6p), 2021.10.
  • Thailand
  • Kingdom of Thailand
    Capital : Bangkok
    (population About 70,000,000 196People.)

Economic size (GDP) $ billion
GDP growth rate (YoY) %
Mekong River basin ratio %
Main use
Country-specific water resource issues
Related projects
출처 : [ADB] 2024 basic statistic, 2024.04. / [외교부] 2021 메콩 개황 (6p), 2021.10.
  • Vietnam
  • Vietnam
  • Socialist Republic of Vietnam
    Capital : Hanoi
    (population About 98,168,829 People.)

Economic size (GDP) $2619 billion
GDP growth rate (YoY) 0%
Mekong River basin ratio 18%
Main use
Country-specific water resource issues
Related projects
출처 : [ADB] 2024 basic statistic, 2024.04. / [외교부] 2021 메콩 개황 (6p), 2021.10.

Mekong River Commission (MRC)

Overview

  • An intergovernmental organization established in 1995 by the four lower Mekong countries under the Mekong Convention to serve as a water diplomacy platform for cooperation in the lower Mekong basin.
  • Invites China and Myanmar as dialogue partners, with cooperation centered on water technologies
  • Implements 11 programs and initiatives for the management of Mekong water resources and sustainable development of the Mekong Basin, in collaboration with international development partners

Vision and Strategy

  • An economically prosperous, socially just, and environmentally sound Mekong River Basin

Organization

  • Composed of a Council, Joint Committee, and MRC Secretariat
  • MRC Summit held every four years