The new Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), Busadee Santipitaks, has pledged to pursue proactive regional cooperation for sustainable development in the biodiversity-rich sub-region.
Busadee is the first woman to serve as CEO of the MRC, succeeding Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun.
A veteran Thai diplomat, she has previously served as deputy permanent secretary for Foreign Affairs, as Ambassador to Australia, and as the Thai Permanent Representative to the ASEAN Secretariat, among other roles.
She stated that the MRC will continue to promote and strengthen its role in water resource management.
As the only agreement-based organization in the Mekong River Basin, the MRC has worked alongside dialogue partners to protect and manage the Mekong River, a vital source of biodiversity and home to thousands of plant and fish species.
Furthermore, Busadee pointed out that the river faces several challenges, including climate change, floods, droughts, water scarcity, and environmental concerns, all of which put strain on this critical resource.
With economic growth across Southeast Asia and China, she noted that demand for water, energy, infrastructure projects, and hydropower developments is increasing. “Unavoidably, further downstream impacts on water flow, fisheries, sediment, and agriculture will be exacerbated,” she cautioned.
During her three-year tenure, she envisions a future for the Mekong strengthened by cooperation, innovation, and inclusivity.
“Cooperation and partnerships will continue to be key as we move forward. Whether working with respective governments, local communities, or international partners, we must strengthen our connections and intensify our collaboration. The challenges we face are too big for any one country or organization to handle alone,” she added.
The MRC is an intergovernmental organization established in 1995 by Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. It serves as an important platform for regional cooperation in water resource management.
