General Information
Freedom of navigation
Article 9. Freedom of Navigation
On the basis of equality of right, freedom of navigation shall be accorded throughout the mainstream of the Mekong River without regard to the territorial boundaries, for transportation and communication to promote regional cooperation and to satisfactorily implement projects under this Agreement. The Mekong River shall be kept free from obstructions, measures, conduct and actions that might directly or indirectly impair navigability, interfere with this right or permanently make it more difficult. Navigational uses are not assured any priority over other uses, but will be incorporated into any mainstream project. Riparians may issue regulations for the portions of the Mekong River within their territories, particularly in sanitary, customs and immigration matters, police and general security.
Our Mission
Continue to develop maritime, waterway and port transport systems, especially the expansion of blue-water ports and modernize physical port structures to improve productivity and operational capacity to facilitate trade and tourism flows.
Duties and Activities
Promoting freedom of navigation on the Mekong and increasing socio-economic development and international trade opportunities using the navigation potential of the river system.
Mekong River Commission
.The MRC’s work in navigation derives from the Mekong Agreement’s article 9 on freedom of navigation. Specifically, the MRC supports countries through:
- Basin-wide strategies and plans as the Master Plan on Waterborne Transport that promote navigation, connectivity and waterborne trade;
- MRC Procedures including the Prior Consultation process that ensures all mainstream projects have good navigation locks that facilitates freedom of navigation;
- Agreements between countries that facilitate rules-based waterborne transport;
- Guidelines and tools that facilitate navigation safety;
- Studies and assessments of benefits and costs of navigation as part of larger studies
Cambodia National Mekong Committee
The Cambodia National Mekong Committee is the national institution operating under direct supervision of the Royal Government of Cambodia, for coordinating the management, preservation, conservation and development of water and other related resources in the Mekong River Basin.
Minisrty of Public Works and Transport
Continue to develop maritime, waterway and port transport systems, especially the expansion of blue-water ports and modernize physical port structures to improve productivity and operational capacity to facilitate trade and tourism flows.