26 February 2000
Opening of East & South-East Asia Consultation

HANOI, Vietnam - The World Commission on Dams opened this morning its regional consultation for East and Southeast Asia in Hanoi. This consultation is the first of its kind in the region and aims to share information on the experience of individuals and organisations in the region with large dams and related water and energy resources management.

More than 30 papers on the economic, social, environmental, and transboundary impacts of large dams will be presented to the World Commission on Dams during the next two days of the consultation. Participants from Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and the Philippines are attending the consultation. The participants represent social and environmental NGOs, utilities, companies, government and academic interests from the region as well as other international representatives with experience in the region.

The consultation was opened by Mr. Lakshmi Jain, the WCD Vice-Chair.
Mr. Jain said the aim of the consultation is to listen to all the perspectives in the region, but the WCD will not be able to give participants tailor-made solutions to their problems at the end of this consultation. He assured the presenters that their contributions will be incorporated into the WCD information base, which forms the foundation for the Commission's final report.

Dr. Pham Hong Giang, Vice-Minister of Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development welcomed the participants on behalf of the Government of Vietnam and explained the role of large dams in the development of the country.

Mr. John Samy, Vietnam representative for the Asian Development Bank, commended the WCD on its participatory process to solicit inputs from diverse constituencies and perspectives. The ADB has also provided financial support to the WCD for this consultation. Professor Kader Asmal, WCD Chair also sent a special message of welcome to the presenters and observers at the consultation.

The first session this morning focused on experiences with large dams in the host country, with presentations by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, the Ministry of Industry as well as the National Center for Social Sciences and Humanities.

A community perspective of decision-making and planning in Vietnam was presented by the Tuong Duong District People's Committee of Nghe An Province. Future needs for dam construction as well as lessons learnt on legal frameworks, resettlement and environmental impacts were presented by the panellists from Vietnam.

The second session focused on understanding the benefits and costs of large dams with presentations from the Philippines, China and Thailand, as well as a regional perspective. During this session the presenters provided information on the irrigation, social and environmental impacts of large dams.

Further issues that will be discussed at the consultation include:

• Competing needs for water (eg between industry, agriculture and the environment)


• the impact of international aid on decision-making on dams


• displacement of communities by dams, and resettlement issues


• hydroelectric and irrigation development: potential and limitations


• international cooperation on development/management of important regional rivers such as the Mekong


• environmental issues related to dams.