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The Mekong Agreement points at a Basin Development Plan (BDP) as the principal tool for joint development of the water resources. In consequence, the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (in Phnom Penh) has initiated a process towards preparation of such a plan.
The BDP will serve as a framework for strategy formulation and identification of projects to support the strategies, once agreed on. Its ultimate aim is 'sustainable development of the water and related resources of the Lower Mekong Basin for the mutual benefits of the riparian countries and people living in the area'. In the medium-term, the planning process is expected to provide a framework for regional co-operation among the riparian countries towards the joint development of the water and water-related resources of the Lower Mekong Basin.
The BDP must comply with the national planning practices of the riparian countries. It will focus on international (cross-border) issues (because purely national planning issues do not need to involve neighboring countries).
It is expected that the BDP will address sectors such as:
- Irrigated agriculture;
- watershed management
- fisheries;
- hydropower;
- navigation, transport, river works;
- tourism and recreation (water related);
- water supplies (domestic and industrial uses); and
- flood control and flood management;
... and cross-cutting themes such as:
- Environment (including specific ecosystems, and their water demand);
- human resources development;
- socio-economics (including poverty reduction, and cultural and gender aspects); and
- public participation.
The planning will address sub-areas within the entire Lower Mekong basin. The planning process will be stepwise, possibly as follows:
