The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Yunnan Province and Guangxi Autonomous Myanmar Region PR China Thailand Lao PDR Cambodia Vietnam Longitudinal river profile of the Mekong River from source to delta Vertical drop in the river is about 4,500m in China; the river drops only about 500m over the remaining 2,600km to the South China Sea. Contributors of water Average: Upper Mekong (18%) • China – 16% • Myanmar – 2% Lower Mekong (82%) • Cambodia – 18% • Lao PDR– 35% • Thailand – 18% • Viet Nam – 11% Lower Mekong Basin • one of world’s longest rivers (approx 4,800km) • population of 60 million, with rapid increase to 100 million in 2025 • one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems in the world. Biodiversity is particularly exceptional in the upper reaches, in the wetlands of the Tonle Sap, the Plain of Reeds, and the Mekong estuary. Main regions in the Mekong Mekong River Basin Main regions • Upper Mekong Basin For most of its length, it flows Through narrow valleys in the Mountain in China. Upper Basin is narrow, with few tributaries And gives 18% of the total flow Manwan and Dachaoshan dams, Feb 2003 20 km Mekong River Basin Main regions • Upper Mekong Basin • Lower Mekong basin •Highlands Mekong River Basin Main regions • Upper Mekong Basin • Lower Mekong • Highlands • Central/Isan Plateau Mekong River Basin Main regions • Upper Mekong Basin • Highlands • Central / Isan Plateau • Cambodian plain and Great Lake Mekong River Basin Main regions • Upper Mekong Basin • Highlands • Isan Plateau • Cambodian plain and Great Lake • Delta Mekong institute Inter-Governmental Organization ___________________ Independent Organization ___________________ - Agreement signed - MI Charter signed – MI with Thai Government Development Assistance becomes a non-profit, recognizing Project autonomous organization international status ___________________ - Shared GMS resource - NZAID and Thai Gov’t - MI operates independently establish MI for the 6 of, but, with the continuing countries of the GMS support of Khon Kaen University - Institute part of Khon Kaen University 1996 2003 2007 MI Mission onnecti To contribute through human C resource development and vity capacity building to the acceleration of sustainable economic and Competitivenesssocial development and poverty alleviation in the Greater Mekong Sub-region and promote regional Community cooperation and integration Building Goals Develop Capacity for Regional Cooperation Conduct high quality and relevant capacity building programs for senior and Carry out middle level officials of government agencies, GMS focused research Facilitate Policy Dialogue private enterprises and civil society who are involved in regional development, cooperation and integration Governance Structure Thank you.