Phnom Penh – In a significant move to address climate vulnerabilities in Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom has officially joined the Mekong River Commission (MRC) as a Development Partner. The partnership was formalised today at a signing ceremony in Vientiane, marking a new chapter in regional cooperation on water governance and climate resilience.
The new collaboration will focus on deploying innovative, sustainable solutions to help Mekong communities adapt to the growing impacts of climate change, particularly floods and droughts that increasingly threaten the livelihoods of millions in the Lower Mekong Basin.
During the ceremony, UK representatives reaffirmed their commitment to contributing British expertise in climate science, water management, and nature-based solutions. The support aims to empower local communities, safeguard biodiversity, and enhance the region’s capacity to respond to environmental challenges.
The partnership will also build on ongoing joint initiatives, including the development of the “One Mekong” mobile application. This digital tool offers real-time river monitoring, water forecasts, and citizen reporting functions—delivering vital data to both the public and policymakers across the region. With over 80 percent of the basin’s population dependent on the river’s resources, this tool is expected to play a key role in improving decision-making and community preparedness.
UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West, emphasised the river’s broader significance:
“The Mekong river isn’t just important in the fight against the climate and nature crisis – thousands across the region rely on it as a source of food and income. This partnership is another demonstration of the UK’s commitment to this critical region and addressing shared challenges like climate change. It underscores the UK’s modern development approach, working through multilateral institutions to deliver sustainable, locally-led solutions.”
Busadee Santipitaks, CEO of the MRC Secretariat, welcomed the UK’s engagement:
“The MRC welcomes the UK as a Development Partner which will help to strengthen the collaboration with the MRC, fulfilling a shared vision for a sustainable Mekong. The UK’s support, combined with the MRC’s expertise, will help boost the resilience of our Mekong communities and protect the incredible biodiversity of this region.”
The UK now joins other international Development Partners in backing the MRC’s mission to sustainably manage the transboundary Mekong River—a lifeline for food security, energy production, transport, and ecological balance across Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
As climate pressures mount, the expanded cooperation between the UK and MRC is expected to enhance data sharing, regional dialogue, and the development of scalable models that can be adopted across Southeast Asia and beyond.
