Canadian PM visits MRC, marking historic milestone in development cooperation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an official visit to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) headquarters in Vientiane, Laos, on October 11, the first visit of a head of government from an MRC Development Partner.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses with Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat CEO Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun in front of the MRC headquarters in Vientiane on October 11.

The historic visit, which took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit hosted by Laos, is a show of Canada’s growing commitment to the sustainable management of the Mekong River, which supports the livelihoods of millions of people in Southeast Asia.
During his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with fishers and farmers who depend on the Mekong River, listening to their stories of how the river sustains livelihoods while learning about the climate and environmental challenges faced, as well as cross-border water management issues.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by his Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Mary Ng, and MRC Secretariat CEO, Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun.
Prime Minister Trudeau praised the MRC’s role in fostering collaboration among the Mekong countries—Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam—and its efforts to ensure that communities living along the river continue to benefit from its rich resources.
“Canada recognises the vital importance of the Mekong River, not just as a source of development but as a lifeline for millions of people,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
“The Mekong River Commission is doing essential work by bringing countries together to manage and protect these shared resources. Canada is proud to support this mission, and we will continue to work alongside the MRC to safeguard Mekong for future generations.”
Canada recently formalised its development partnership with the MRC, contributing 2 million Canadian dollars (US$1.5 million) through Global Affairs Canada, its government department responsible for managing diplomatic relations, international trade, and development assistance.

Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun, CEO of the MRC Secretariat (third from right), and the Canadian Prime Minister (first from right) engage in conversation with local fishermen along a Mekong riverbank in Vientiane.

This funding is aimed at supporting the MRC’s critical work, including transboundary water management, river monitoring, and forecasting, with a special focus on enhancing community resilience to water-related challenges.
Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun said Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit underscored Canada’s vital support in advancing the MRC’s mission and the country’s engagement in the region.
“We’re honoured by Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit, which marks a new chapter in our cooperation with Canada,” Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun said.
“Canada’s support comes at a crucial time as we intensify our efforts to manage the Mekong’s water resources for the benefit of all the people in the region and their governments. We look forward to continuing this valuable partnership as we tackle the complex challenges of sustainable water resource management together.”
The MRC plays a key role in coordinating cooperation between the Mekong countries and other international partners and stakeholders.
With climate change and increasing development continuing to strain water resources, the MRC’s work is becoming more important and relevant, being at the forefront of transboundary water resource management vital for the region’s ecological and socio-economic well-being.
With Canada’s support and Prime Minister Trudeau’s historic visit, the MRC hopes it is better positioned to strengthen its efforts to promote sustainable development, enhance regional cooperation, and improve the livelihoods of people who rely on the Mekong River.

ByTimes Reporters
 (Latest Update October 15, 2024)