Mandate
The Lao National Mekong Committee, abbreviated as “LNMC” is a non-permanent organization. It has a mandate to act as a national water resources executive agency and also as an advisory body to the Lao PDR government for management, development, conservation, rehabilitation and utilization of water resources (which will be called “water resources management”) nationwide.
Organizational structure
The Lao National Mekong Committee is a non-permanent organization. The Department of
Water Resources acts as the LNMC Secretariat.
The Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Head of WREA and Chairman of LNMC is assigned to issue the decision which defines the position, mandate, jurisdiction, duties and organizational structure of the tributary river basin committee and also to nominate staff into the committee.
Composition of the LNMC
The Lao National Mekong Committee consists of:
1.
Vice- Prime Minister, the Chairperson of the National Environment committee
Honorary Chairperson and Leader of LNMC
2.
Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office , Head of the WREA
Chairperson
3. Minister to the Ministry of Energy and Mines Deputy Chairperson
4. Deputy Head of WREA Deputy Chairperson
5. Minister to the Ministry of Planning and Investment Deputy Chairperson
6. Minister to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Deputy Chairperson
7. Minister to the Ministry of Public Work and Transport Deputy Chairperson
8. Director General, Department of Planning, MPI Member
9. Director General, Department of Electricity, MEM Member
10. Director General, Department of Planning, MAF Member
11. Director General, Department of Waterways, MPWT Member
12. Director General, Department of International Organization, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Member

13. Director General, WREA Cabinet
14. Director General, Department of Environment, WREA
15. Director General, Department of Meteorology and
Hydrology, WREA
Member
Member
Member
16. Director General, Department of Water Resources, WREA Member
The Lao National Mekong Committee nominates its representatives to work with MRC in the following levels:
1. Council Member of MRC; Chairperson of LNMC
2. Alternate Council Member of MRC; Minister to the Ministry of Energy and Mining; Vice
Chairperson of LNMC
3. Joint Committee Member of MRC; DG of the WREA Cabinet
4. Alternative Joint Committee Member of MRC; DG and DDG of Department of Water
Resources, WREA
Ministry / Agency Responsibilities
Committee for Planning and Investment
Department of General
Planning
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Studies party and government policy to realize strategic plans, projects and socioeconomic development plans for the long, medium and short terms for each sector throughout the country, at the regional and local levels, for ongoing rational and modern development.
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Acts as a center for summarizing socio-economic development plans and their implementation throughout the country for submission to the government.
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Monitors, supervises and stimulates implementation of socio-economic development plans of different sectors, regions and localities.
National Institute of
Economic Research
Department of Investment
Management
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Studies policy, regulations and provisions related to the formulation of plans, inspection, assessment and statistics.
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Supervises professional technical plans of the sectors and regions and ensure unified implementation of the plans throughout the country.
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Studies the socio-economic development plan and social services.
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Coordinates with the Ministry of Finance and submits to the government for consideration the distribution of government investment in different sectors, regions and localities.
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Formulates plans and draft budgets for each sector for submission to the government for consideration.
National Statistics Center
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Acts as a center for the establishment of a national statistical system, to collect data, summarize and analyze socio-economic statistics
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Department of Foreign
Management and Economic
Cooperation
Department of Law and
Treaties

Collaborates with the relevant sectors concerned to monitor, evaluate and summarize the data for international economic cooperation, and other economic areas, including domestic and foreign investment throughout the country.
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Liaison with foreign countries and international organizations for the provisions of assistance and cooperation in support of socio-economic development.
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Provides advice on negotiation and signing & follows up implementation of agreements with foreign countries; gives legal advice to State agencies
Ministry of Justice
Department of Law
Dissemination and
Advertisement

Studies and propose to the government the strategy on development, consolidation and extension of legal system of the Lao PDR.
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Studies on the development of justice laws and other laws, agreements, conventions, and other legislations as delegated by the Government; provides comments on legal issues, legislation development process for the ministries, agencies and other organizations; participates in legislation developments requested by agencies; contributes to the development of law explanation documents.
Prime Minister’s Office
Science, Technology and
Environment Agency
Water Resources
Coordination Committee
Lao National Mekong
Committee

Has overall responsibility for science technology and environment activities.
Coordinates services and operations of agencies related to research and management of scientific, technological and environmental affairs. Ensures Lao
PDR is up to date in scientific and technological advancements. Regulates wastewater disposal.

Provides advice to Government on matters relating to water and water resources.
It also has the mandate to coordinate the planning, management, follow-up, inspection and protection of water and water resources aimed at sustainable development and utilization of water and water resources in line with the government policy of socio-economic development.
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Formulates policy, strategic plans, projects and programs related to water resources development in the Mekong Basin in order to protect the environment, ecological balance, and to ensure community participation and development, cooperation with other Mekong riparian countries, other countries and donors.

Aims to ensure the fruitful implementation of development. The primary aim of
Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat (LNMCS) is to communicate with and coordinate between the different ministries, line agencies, Mekong Riparian
Countries and the MRC dialogue countries ( China and Myanmar).
National Geographic
Service

Studies and formulates policies, regulations and principles of cartographic survey and measurement and aerial photography.

Collects technical date and operate cartographic survey, measurement and aerial photography in the country.
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Builds technical capacity and trains technicians in preparation for the growth of the cartographic survey, measurement and aerial photography in the future.
National Tourism Authority

Develops strategies and plans for tourism
Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction
Water Supply Authority

Studies and researches techniques and technologies to support the development of urban water supply and sanitation system.
Department of Housing and
Urban Planning

Responsible for urban development planning. Develops policies, regulations and plans for water supply and drainage, solid waste and sewerage in urban areas.

Department Bridges and
Roads, Waterways
Administration Division

Collects data and information on hydrography, hydrology and construction activities along the Mekong River and its main tributaries.

Plans and manages water way related activities, river transport related environment, such as dredging and navigation aids, river ports, bank protections, and sand and gravel extractions, in order to avoid the impact against deep dredging and river banks of the Mekong River and its tributaries which mark the international border lines.
Ministry of Health
Department of Sanitation and Preventive Medicine,
National Center for
Environmental Health and
Water Supply (Nam Saat)
Department of Foods and
Drugs

Technically assists the Department of Sanitation and Prevention Medicine to control and manage environmental health related issues in both rural and urban areas, and rural water supply in country wide.
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Advises, facilitates, monitors and supports the above-mentioned activities in all levels.
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The Center is in charge of (i) providing technical support, coordination and services in rural water supply and urban and rural sanitation based on the sectoral policies enacted by the Minister of Health, (ii) control the quality of drinking water in rural areas and (iii) planning and design of rural water supply and sanitation systems

Sets and monitors standards for drinking water supplies (drinking water quality standard)
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Department of Planning,
Integrated Watershed
Management Unit

Assists MAF in watershed management and rural development planning on a subwatershed area basis

Supports provinces and districts with data analysis and generation of map for district level integrated watershed planning
Department of Forestry
National Agriculture and

Formulate and implement forestry and water resource development programs and projects as approved by the Government and the National Assembly.
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Train and educate the technical staffs in forestry and water resource management as an integrated system of training. Transform such personnel in to genuine and skilled staff firmly knowing the policy framework, on how to mobilize and organize the people for production.

Implement strategies, programs, and policies as outlined by the Party Central
Committee and the Government into programs and projects, detailing provisions of the laws, governing the managing of forestry and water resource s. Organize, control and assess the strict implementation of such programs, projects, provisions and laws and identify their positive impacts for promotion and development, and their negative aspects for timely adjustment.

Establish a network of forestry and water resource statistical data and information centers, including hydro-meteorological data at the national level, which assists in the formulation of effective and efficient directives, policy framework, programmes, and projects. Collect and evaluate such statistical data and information in order to report changing situations in each sector to the leading bodies on a regular basis, and simultaneously informing and notifying on a timely basis concerned agencies as well as the people.

Cooperate with foreign countries and international organizations for the acquisition of assistance and cooperation of support forestry and water resource development projects based on the general principles and regulations as laid out by the Government.
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Main function is to plan extension activities at the national level. More

Forestry Extension Service
Department of Irrigation
Department of Meteorology and Hydrology
Department of Livestock and Fisheries specifically, NAFES functions include the following:

Implementation extension works on agriculture and forestry;

Cooperation with concerning organization to study, develop regulations, methodology and strategy of agriculture and forestry extension works.

Train farmers on new agriculture and forestry technology;

Technical training to provincial, district, and village level;
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Awareness activities about agriculture and forestry works;
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Cooperation with international organizations and line agencies.
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In charge of implementing GOL policies, strategies and programs related to the development and management of irrigation, drainage and rural flood control in addition to monitoring and evaluating data and information related to irrigation as well as issuing standards relating to irrigation survey and design.
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Collecting, processing, storing and dissemination of hydrological and meteorological data and information in Lao P.D.R
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In charge of the operation and maintenance of existing hydrological and meteorological stations and for developing hydrological and meteorological network and for human resources development of the Department staff

Provides specialized meteorological data for agriculture, industries and civil aviation and for other organizations.

Determines policies, plans, laws and regulations for of the Government and MAF for livestock, veterinary, and fisheries development in the country wide.

Encourage the changes from natural and self-sufficient livestock rising and fisheries to the more marketing orientation level.
Ministry of Energy and Mines
Department of Electricity,
Social and Environmental
Management Division

Determines policies, plans, laws and regulations for developing and controlling the production and distribution of electricity. Reviews and evaluates power project proposals, contracts and agreements.

Participates in Initial Environmental Assessment (IEA) and Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) processes of large scale hydropower development projects.
Department of Mining
Electricity du Laos

Determines policies, plans, laws and regulations for developing and controlling the production and concession of mines and mineral resources. Reviews and evaluates mining project proposals, contracts and agreements.

Participates in Exploration Impact Control Plan, Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE), Environment Impact Assessment (IEA) and Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) processes of mining development projects.

Provide guidance and coordination between mining activities companies and other
Government institutions

Inspect mining companies for compliance with Mining Law

Owns and operates main public sector generation, transmission and distribution assets. Undertakes project development and joint ventures.
National University of Laos

Faculties and departments include: Department of Irrigation Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Department of
Watershed Management and Land Use Planning, Faculty of Economics and Management, Civil Engineering
Department, Center for Environment and Development Studies

Faculties and departments offer education in their respective fields and carry out some research and technical services