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Monday, January 27, 2025
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MRC Secretariat Welcomes New Leadership

This Week

Busadee Santipitaks has officially taken on her role as the first female and fourth Riparian Chief Executive Officer of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat. Her three-year term began on 17 January. During this time, she will oversee the organization’s work from its headquarters in Vientiane, Laos, and the Flood and Drought Management Centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from 2025 to 2027.

“I am deeply honored to take up this role as the ninth and first female CEO of the Mekong River Commission Secretariat,” said Busadee in her first statement as CEO.

She expressed her excitement about leading the organization, which has made great progress in managing water resources over the years. She also recognized the efforts of previous CEOs, especially her predecessor Anoulak Kittikhoun, for strengthening the MRC’s role and contributions to managing this important international river.

This year marks 30 years since the signing of the 1995 Mekong Agreement. Busadee reflected on the MRC’s achievements over the past three decades, noting how it has worked closely with Dialogue Partners and international Development Partners to protect and manage the Mekong River sustainably. She described the river as a natural wonder that provides a vital source of life for millions of people in the region.

As CEO, Busadee plans to focus on several key areas. She aims to strengthen cooperation among the four MRC Member Countries, including Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as with dialogue partners like China and Myanmar. She also plans to improve how the MRC monitors and studies changes in the river to better predict future challenges. Another priority is identifying and carrying out joint projects that address water management issues across borders. Additionally, she wants to enhance community resilience in the Mekong Basin by improving early warning systems for floods and droughts.

During her term, Busadee will oversee the completion of the MRC Strategic Plan for 2021 to 2025, which is part of a broader Basin Development Strategy for 2021 to 2030. She will also lead efforts to create a new Strategic Plan for 2026 to 2030.

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