The Mekong River Commission (MRC) announced Friday that its Lao chief strategy and partnership officer Anoulak Kittikhoun would succeed outgoing Cambodian chief executive An Pich Hatda.
“Dr Kittikhoun’s appointment follows a unanimous decision by the MRC Joint Committee,” a statement said, referring to the MRC body of senior environment and water officials from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
The announcement came a day after a virtual annual meeting of MRC ministers, known as the MRC Council.
“Council Members and MRC Development Partners expressed their appreciation for the leadership of Dr. Hatda and his important contributions to the MRC in performing its role,” a statement said.
AnnaMaria Oltorp — the regional head of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency who chairs the MRC Development Partners Group — said Dr. Hatda’s three-year tenure had been marked by “remarkable organisational and technical achievements despite challenging circumstances.”
The Council meanwhile approved a Sustainable Hydropower Development Strategy at Thursday’s meeting, the statement said.
General Prawit Wongsuwon — the Thai deputy prime minister who currently chairs the council — said the strategy was a “significant step forward in moving the basin toward optimal, safe and responsible outcomes that address interdependencies between environmental protection, water, food and hydropower production.”
According to the statement, General Prawit said water projects including hydropower dams have had a “dramatic impact” on Mekong River systems over the past two decades.
The statement said the strategy would provide the MRC with opportunities to work with member countries on better data and information sharing and coordinating hydropower operations.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press