Cambodia Urges Laos to Review Luang Prabang Dam Projects Over Environmental Concerns

• 3 July 2020
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During the Special Session of the MRC Joint Committee on 30 June 2020, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand requested Lao PDR to review their Luang Prabang hydropower project on Mekong River stream due to socio-economic, livelihood and environmental concerns.

According to the official press release, Cambodia urged Lao PDR via an official communique to review the environmental impact assessments to find proper plans and effective measures.

The request was made following some environmental concerns from NGOs in Cambodia. NGOs, such as 3S River Protection Network, FACT, The NGO Forum on Cambodia, My Village, Center and the Environment Preservation Association, expressed their concern in February that the upstream hydropower projects would negatively impact fisheries, hydrology and sediment transfer.

The other two countries similarly suggested that the project should be comprehensively assessed due to the transboundary impact in terms of socioeconomics, livelihoods and the environment.

In response, the Joint Committee Member for Lao PDR Chanthanet Boualapa said that the government remains committed to addressing key concerns and to welcoming further engagement to ensure that the project does not cause significant negative transboundary impacts.
According to the same source, another 684-megawatt Sanakham project hydropower project in Lao PDR will be discussed after the Luang Prabang consultation has reached its conclusion. (Read more)

Regarding hydropower plants, the Cambodian government has decided to suspend planning and construction of all hydropower dams on the Mekong River until 2030​, by using renewable energy instead. The WWF Country Director Teak Seng issued an official statement saying that “Maintaining the lower Mekong in Cambodia free-flowing is the best decision for both people and nature.” (Read more)

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