Ahead of Blinken’s Southeast Asia visit, US steps up rivalry with China in Mekong region with funding, Mississippi tie-up
- US announces new grant for the Mekong River Commission to promote data sharing over the waterway, where some blame Chinese dams for causing droughts
- Support comes ahead of a visit to the region by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is expected to have China’s actions in the Mekong on his agenda
The sum of US$773,570 will also be used for continued exchanges with the Mississippi River Commission, according to an announcement made last Friday during a virtual meeting between the MRC and the Mississippi River Commission where some 50 senior representatives from both sides attended.
The support, provided under the framework of the Mekong-US Partnership, will run for a period of three years from 2021 to 2024, the MRC said on Thursday.
Christine Dawson, director of the Office of Conservation and Water at the US Department of State, said the funding would support the MRC in promoting and improving transparent water data sharing.
“Although small, this grant will provide strategic support to the important work of the MRC in the Mekong and wider region,” Dawson said, referring to the programme which will address data gaps and improve data sharing for impact monitoring and forecasting.
The MRC and the Mississippi River Commission – with technical support from the US Army Corps of Engineers – have conducted several exchange visits and shared knowledge and experience of river basin planning and disaster management.