Hungary to provide Mekong assistance

The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) plans to adopt a model for trans-boundary water management -- which was successfully applied on the Danube River -- on the Mekong.

Speaking after his official visit to Hungary, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya said both the Thai and Hungarian governments have agreed to seek closer cooperation on the development of the Mekong River.

Under the agreement, Hungary will facilitate the transfer of its knowledge on water management to help Thailand achieve its sustainable development targets.

Gen Chatchai, who was assigned to oversee the country's water resources management, said Hungary was chosen as a partner because of its outstanding achievement in managing many aspects relating to the Danube -- from waste management, renewable energy generation, to water conservation.

"Hungary has done a great job in managing the Danube, which runs for 2,845 kilometres and spans some 10 countries in Europe," he said.

"Its management of its water resources spans both water underground, and its rivers."

The deputy prime minister said both countries have agreed to work together on sediment management, resource distribution during droughts and floods, and increasing the efficiency of distribution and irrigation.

Next, Gen Chatchai said, Thailand and Hungary will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on water management, which is aimed at strengthening international rules and principles of trans-boundary river management.

Somkiat Prajamwong, secretary-general of the ONWR, said the agency will be the main agency responsible for managing the development on the Mekong River.

He also said the ONWR will increase its cooperation with other countries in the region -- some of which have also signed bilateral agreements with Hungary on water management.

Mr Somkiat said the agreement is expected to facilitate the exchange of information on issues such as climate change and disaster early warning systems, which could also be applied to other rivers in the region beside the Mekong.