Call for Speakers

The Mekong River Commission (MRC) invites you to share your experience and expertise at the MRC International Conference, scheduled for 2–3 April 2023 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

What is the International Conference about?

The International Conference will provide an opportunity for the MRC and stakeholders from the riparian countries, NGOs, academia, regional/international organisations, the private sector, and other river basin organisations to exchange perspectives, best practices and cutting-edge ideas. Leading by the theme “Innovation and Cooperation for a Water Secure and Sustainable Mekong”, the Conference covers two sessions: 1) How innovative technologies are transforming water management and 2) How responsible financing and gender inclusiveness are making a difference in water resources management. See the detailed agenda here.

Invitation for speakers

The MRC invites speakers from academia, NGOs, river basin/international/national organisations, and the private sector to submit a presentation proposal for consideration for one of the parallel sessions at the International Conference. Presentations will be ten-minute long, followed by a 30-minute questions-and-answers session or a panel discussion after each session. Topics to be covered:

Session 1A: How cooperation is yielding benefits for transboundary water management

• Session 1A1: Cooperating to avoid, minimise, and mitigate transboundary impacts
• Session 1A2: Cooperating for better data, information, and coordination of dam cascade: meeting multiple objectives

Session 1B: How innovative technologies are transforming transboundary water management 

• Session 1B1: Innovative technologies for river monitoring, modelling, and forecasting
• Session 1B2: Innovative decision support systems for integrated water resources development and how they support decision-making (cases of application)

Session 2A: How cooperation in innovative financing can make a difference

• Session 2A1: Cooperation between the public and private sectors for responsible financing and sustainable development
• Session 2B1: Innovation for advancing gender equality and responsiveness for water resources management

  View Session Outlines details

Submission

Please use the below form to submit your proposal to speak at the International Conference. 

• Deadline to submit your proposal: 28 February 2023
• Selection of speakers: 2 March 2023
• Conference Proceedings:
  • All presentation abstracts accepted to the Conference will be published as initially submitted unless the authors provide a revised abstract by 10 March 2023.
  • All presenters at the Conference shall submit their presentation (i.e., PowerPoint) by 15 March 2023.