Emerging threats in the Ma and Neun/Ca river basins between Viet Nam and Lao PDR underscore the need for strengthened transboundary collaboration

The meeting brought together key stakeholders to review progress, exchange lessons learned, and share good practices, with the aim of strengthening collaborative action for sustainable transboundary water and environmental management.

The project has initiated a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) in the two river basins, which will inform pilot interventions and the development of a Strategic Action Programme (SAP). Preliminary findings highlight key threats, including fish kills likely linked to agricultural pollution and flash flooding driven by more intense tropical storms.  The TDA is expected to be finalized by the end of 2026.

To improve the coverage and quality of hydrological monitoring and to support early warning systems, the project conducted an assessment of the hydro-meteorological monitoring networks in both Viet Nam and Lao PDR. This assessment will provide the technical basis for strengthening monitoring and developing bilateral mechanisms for data and information sharing. 

Transboundary water cooperation between Lao PDR and Viet Nam was discussed at a high-level meeting between both MAEs in December 2025. The agreement on transboundary water cooperation is currently being prepared, aligning efforts to strengthen the legal frameworks for water management in both countries.

“Addressing new threats in two river basins effectively is only possible if Lao PDR and Viet Nam cooperate actively. The agreement that the two governments are preparing will provide the legal basis for long-term cooperation on water quality and quantity” said Jake Brunner, Head of IUCN’s Lower Mekong Subregion.

This is the first bilateral Global Environment Facility (GEF) International Waters project between Lao PDR and Viet Nam. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) serves as the implementing agency, with IUCN as the executing agency, in partnership with DWRM and DWR. The Ma and Neun/Ca river basins cover parts of Dien Bien, Son La, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe Anh and Ha Tinh Provinces in Viet Nam, and Houaphan and Xiengkhouang Provinces in Lao PDR.

The project enables Viet Nam and Lao PDR to address freshwater resource management and ecosystem health in the Ma and Neun/Ca river basins by advancing transboundary cooperation and action. Its five components are: (1) conducting a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), (2) facilitating transboundary cooperation, (3) implementing pilot projects, (4) preparing a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) and National Action Plans (NAPs), and (5) awareness raising, capacity building, and gender mainstreaming.

Waleed Abouelhassan, Land and Water Officer at FAO, noted: “This project demonstrates how shared analysis and dialogue can translate into coordinated action across borders. Strengthening cooperation between Lao PDR and Viet Nam is essential to address evolving water-related risks, protect ecosystems, and support resilient livelihoods in the basins. The Annual Stocktaking Meeting provides an important opportunity to align partners, review progress, and agree on next steps for joint action.”

This is the project’s first ASM, providing opportunities to highlight implementation progress and how both countries have benefited. The ASM also serves as a platform to engage with a broader set of stakeholders to strengthen transboundary collaboration, contributing to the overarching goal of enhancing water and environmental security in the two river basins. Various topics will be discussed including water resource law revision, development of water resources scenarios for all river basins, Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), Transboundary Coordination and Cooperation Agreement, etc.

The ASM is held in connection with World Water Day 2026 (22 March), themed “Water and Gender” under the slogan “Where water flows, equality grows.” This global observance highlights the importance of equitable access to water and sanitation as a foundation for reducing gender inequalities and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6 on clean water and sanitation and SDG 5 on gender equality. A dedicated section in the ASM showcases how the Ma and Neun/Ca project will advance gender and social inclusion in water management, sharing early findings of the gender (and wider social inclusion) component of the TDA.

Mr. Chau Tran Vinh, Director General of DWRM/MAE in Viet Nam and Mr. Oudomsack Philavong, Director General DWR/MAE in Lao PDR stated: The project’s outcomes make practical contributions to ensuring water security and the sustainable management of water resources in Viet Nam and the Lao PDR. Through the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis, the project helps clearly identify key challenges such as pollution, ecosystem degradation, and increasing disaster risks, thereby providing a sound basis for appropriate policies development.

The project, at the same time, strengthens monitoring and early warning capacities, promotes data sharing, and enhances transboundary cooperation mechanisms. Gender considerations are integrated throughout the project, in line with World Water Day 2026 theme – “Water and Gender Equality.” As such, the project not only addresses immediate challenges but also contributes to building a modern, equitable, and sustainable water governance framework, aiming to ensure “water security for all, leaving no one behind.”

The meeting brings together stakeholders from both countries, including government and provincial agencies, research institutions, academia, international organisations, local civil society, regional stakeholders, technical partners and the media. Being organised around WWD 2026, the meeting results will contribute to the global advocacy campaign on Water and Gender and water governance improvement, better livelihoods, and stronger cooperation on shared resources in both Lao PDR and Viet Nam river basins.