Trans-boundary Flood Issue in Lower Mekong River Basin · Trans-boundary Flood Issue in Lower...
Transcript of Trans-boundary Flood Issue in Lower Mekong River Basin · Trans-boundary Flood Issue in Lower...
Trans-boundary Flood Issue in Lower Mekong River Basin
Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre (RFMMC) Mekong River Commission
Dr. Lam Hung Son
FMMP Programme Coordinator
Second Asia Pacific Forum,
Chiang Mai, Thailand,
16-20 May 2013
Lower Mekong Basin shares border with four MRC Member Countries: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam plus two upper Mekong Countries: China and Myanmar.
Numerous sectors: water (quality/environment), navigation, fishery, hydropower, flood&drought etc has its trans-boundary issues.
Trans-boundary flood issue is one of the complex and diverse subject driven by both natural occurrences and human activities.
Source: http://www.mekongboatsvietnam.com/mekong_map.jpg
Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre (RFMMC): Presentation on Transboundary Flood Issues
Mekong trans-boundary flood issues
1. upstream development;
2. floodplain development;
3. hydropower development in upper Mekong Basin & tributaries
4. bank protection, port development, sand excavation and
5. increased flooding on tributaries...
Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre (RFMMC): Presentation on Transboundary Flood Issues
Impact of the trans-boundary flood issues include:
- Wetland degradation
- Loss of cultivated land & island
- Disappearance of deep pools
- Reduced fish production
- Incremental bank erosion
- Risks of dams breaking
- Blockage of fish migration routes
- Determination in water quality and turbidity
- Damage of property and human life
Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre (RFMMC): Presentation on Transboundary Flood Issues
MRC Flood Management and Mitigation Programme 2004-2010 pilot case for sharing information
Working definition of TB flood issue
EFFECT
resulting from a change of the water
conditions during occurence
of floods and / or during the flood season(s)
of the Mekong river system
IMPACT
Any existing or potential substantial adverse
impact on the natural, economic or social
environment within an area of a Riparian State
CAUSE
caused by a human activity, originating
wholly or in part
from within area(s) of (an)other
Riparian State(s)
List of Regionally-concerned trans-boundary flood issues
Group 1: Issues related to floodplain developments within the Mekong Delta;
Group 2: Issues related to developments in the upstream part of the Lower Mekong Basin impacting the Mekong Delta;
Group 3: Issues related to the hydropower projects upstream of the Lower Mekong Basin;
Group 4: Issues related to the hydropower projects in Se San, Srepok, and Se Kong river basins (3S area);
Group 5: Issues related to bank protection and port development; sand excavation; communication of dam operations in upper reaches of the Mekong Mainstream;
Group 6: Issues related to increased floods on tributaries in North-West Cambodia.
1. Issues related to floodplain developments within the Mekong Delta
Bilateral issues between VN-CAM Upstream-downstream and vice versa relationship
Group 1
2. Issues related to developments in the upstream (Kratie) part of the Lower Mekong Basin impacting the Mekong Delta
Bi- and multilateral issues between MRC member countries Upstream-downstream relationship
Group 2
3. Issues related to the hydropower projects upstream of the Lower
Mekong Basin
Multilateral issues between MRC member countries and dialogue partner Upstream-downstream relationship
Group 3
4. Issues related to the hydropower projects in Se San, Srepok, and Se Kong river basins (3S area)
Bilateral issues between VN - CAM and Laos - CAM Upstream-downstream relationship
Group 4
5. Issues related to bank protection and port development; sand excavation; communication of dam operations in upper reaches of the Mekong Mainstream
Bilateral issues between Laos - Thailand Left bank – Right bank (and vice versa) relationship
Group 5
6. Issues related to increased floods on tributaries in North-West Cambodia
Bilateral issues between Thailand - CAM Upstream – downstream relationship
Group 6
1
4
Strengthening Cooperation and Enhancing Capacity of the MRC
in addressing differences in trans-boundary flood issues.
Information Awareness and
Skills Toolbox
List of TB Flood Issues;
Set of international, regional and national Best Practices, Instruments and Case Studies;
Common understanding about mandate and options
Better awareness, knowledge and skill re Conflict Management and Resolution;
List of needed tools for facilitaing Addressing Differences and Disputes
Administrative Tools
Technical Tools;
OUTLINE OF THE REVISED FMMP COMPONENT 3
OUTPUT 2: AWARENESS RAISING, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS BUILDING
OUTPUT 1: INFORMATION GENERATION
OUTPUT 3: TOOLBOX DEVELOPMENT
Year 2007 Year 2008 Year 2009
List of TB flood issues
1.2 Regional compilation
Set of Best Practices, Instruments & Case Studies
1.3 Compile international docs
1.4 Compile regional/nat'l docs
1.5 Finalization and
Dissemination the compiled documents
General awareness raising, knowledge and skills building
2.2 Training on conflict management & resolution
2.3 Study tour
1.1 National Identification
Practical knowledge and skills and mutual trust building
2.4 Implementation of pilot study
Improvement of impact assessment tool
3.2 Improvement of Hydrodynamic model for the Mekong Delta
Guidance on the paths and steps for process of addressing differences in TB issues via MRC
3.1 Establishing administrative tools for addressing transboundary dif ferences and disputes
Common understand on mandate and roles
2.1 Clarification of Mandate
J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D
The FMMP Component 3 design
Training materials Capacity Building
Programme
“Legal Aspects of the Mandate of the 1995 Mekong
Agreement for Enhancing Cooperation in
Addressing Transboundary Flood and Related
Issues”, Oct. 2007 (Working Paper)
Identification of Transboundary Flood
Issues at National Level
(Cambodia)
Identification of Transboundary Flood
Issues at National Level
(Lao PDR)
Identification of Transboundary Flood
Issues at National Level (Thailand)
Identification of Transboundary Flood
Issues at National Level (Vietnam)
4 National Reports “Identification of Transboundary Flood Issues at National Level” and Regional compilation “Transboundary Flood Issue Identification”, Jan. 2008 (Working Paper)
MEKONG
STUDY TOUR
CHINA STUDY
TOUR
EUROPEAN
STUDY TOUR
1995 Mekong Provisions and Framework
• Intentions and expectations on addressing issues, differences
and disputes are to first attempt to prevent or mitigate such
circumstances through cooperation (through Articles 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 26).
• Offers a full range of options to address issues, differences
and disputes through Articles 7, 8, 10, 18C, 24F, 34 and 35.
• MRC FMMP has developed a Framework of the MA95
provisions and six step-decision-diagrams to illustrate how this
Framework and its 3 phases through numerous steps and their
actions or decisions can be utilized for addressing and resolving
TBFIs and other TBIDDs. Figures are linked by A-E circled
letters.
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MA 95 Framework for Addressing TB
Issues, Differences and Disputes 1995 Mekong Agreement
Chap. 1
Preamble
Chap. 2
Definitions
Chap. 3
Obj. & Prin. Of
Cooperation
Chap. 4
Institutional
Framework
Chap. 5
Addressing
Diff. & Disputes
Chap. 6
Final
Provisions
Art. 34 - MRC Art. 35 - Governments - Chap. 1 & 3 = intentions, mandates & processes
to promote cooperation & avoid/mitigate/resolve
harmful effects. - Key MRC programmes , procedures, guidelines
& tools to facilitate cooperation of members
- Chap. 4 = MRC forum of cooperation & to
address concerns; Council & JC functions to
address issues, differences and disputes (18C & 24 F)
MRC Processes to Address Transboundary Issues Differences and Disputes
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3
Steps:
1. Identify
2. Notify
3. Acknowledge
Steps:
1. Assess
2. Confirmation
3. Select option/
approach
4. Resolve/refer
5. Record, report,
monitor
Steps:
1. Council
Refer to
Gov’ts
Phase 3, continued
Steps:
2. Governments apply diplomatic
channels to negotiate resolution; may
inform MRC Council of outcome
3. Governments apply mediation if
negotiation unsuccessful
4. Governments resort to arbitration or
adjudication under international law
5. Recommend any resolution or
conclusion under Article 35 be officially
communicated to MRC Council for
incorporation into decisions and
actions of MRC
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Introduction to Framework’s
Diagrams
• Color coded blocks: red-threat/danger/?; orange-MS; yellow-CEO; pink
– JC; gray – C; green – MRC/MRCS data, info, tools; & blue – working
groups (FAG, EAT & MEG).
• Sequenced block numbers at bottom left of each box (or diagonal for
triangles) guides actions and decisions. Answers key questions: What?,
Who?, How? When? As illustrated for block No. 1 only.
• Three new groups should quickly be constituted and activated as
required to facilitate these activities: Flood Assessment Group (FAG) ,
MRC Expert Group (MEG) and External Assessment Team (EAT). Due to
serious and often unexpected nature of floods on mainstream and
tributaries, preparedness, rapid decisions and actions facilitated by these
groups are required to avoid or mitigate significant adverse effects and
substantial harm in a short timeframe. .
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MS concerned
sends Notice (with
data & information
available) to CEO
JC need more Data & Information
from MS & MRCS
CEO informs JC &
all MSs
No
Don’t
know
Yes
Proceed to P1S3
STEP 2 STEP 1
FMMP Framework for Addressing and Resolving TBFls
Phase 1: Identifying TBFl / TBIDD (P1 S1 & S2)
JC reviews
information and
determines if TBFI
is serious
Figure 1
* Concerned party initiates discussion and dialogue with MRC to avoid/mitigate harm
MS = MRC Member State; C=Council; JC=Joint Committee; CEO=Chief Executive Officer
A
End of Process
C approves, JC / MSs
reports, monitor
agreement
TBFIs: REAL
or Perceived*
Flood Treat
1 2
3 4
5 6
7
8
JC sends report to
MS, informs other
MSs and C
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FMMP Framework for Addressing and Resolving TBFls
Phase 2: MRC Approach (P2 S5)
TBFI /
TBIDD
solved?
C approves, reports,
JC / MSs monitors
agreement
implementation
*MRCS & Technical
Tools to facilitate at
JC request
Yes
No
Figure 5
** Parties may request JC approval for MRCS to facilitate and use its technical tools
MA95 Art. 18C
MRC addresses
& resolves, C
consultation
C report findings &
send to MSs & JC
agree
End of Process
D E
41
42 40
39
44
43
Proceed to P3
STEP 5
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Pilot Study:
Transboundary Shariva River Basin
Agricultural area of high importance for rice farming in
Shariva Region
Legend Irrigated rice fields
Mining sites of high importance in Sha Country
Flooding in 2003 in the Shariva region
Main fish migration routes in the Shariva Basin
Nature conservation sites and occurrence of
protected bird species in the Shariva Basin
Location of the proposed hydropower dams
Key messages to address transboundary issues
• Enhanced cooperation with all parties concerned • Get consensus and mutual agreements among member countries on
working definitions and relationships between causes and effects • Promote data sharing and exchange information in timely and manner and
in quality • Undertake scientific researches and analysis • Promote same voices, harmonized policy and institutional arrangement • Improve national capacity to address the transboundary flood issues • Sustainable operation budget for integrated water resource management
(IWRM) • Link scientific analysis to policy makers decision making process • Target decision makers into policy agenda and regional/national
development plan include involve all key players into all processes of development cycle
• Database & Tools: River Flood Forecasting System & Flash Flood Guidance System of MRC-RFMMC are ongoing improvement and fine turning process
Visit MRC Website: www.mrcmekong.org
Regional Flood Management and Mitigation Centre (RFMMC): Presentation on Transboundary Flood Issues
MRC-FMMP/RFMMC CORE FUNCTIONS
1. Daily (once/twice) flood forecasting and warning during flood season, daily monitoring WL in dry season, for Mekong mainstream.
2. Flash Flood Guidance (3 hourly updates) and Flash Flood Alerts during critical weather situations.
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The Operational Unit (OU) of MRC’s RFMMC in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
issues to MRC Member Countries and Dialogue Partners:
http://www.mrcmekong.org/index.htm
Thank you for your attention